Pistons rookie out for season with blood clotting issue

Speed finger painter, Jarred Emerson, unveils the new Detroit Pistons logo on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Campus Martius Park in Detroit. Mandatory Credit: Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press

A Detroit Pistons player is done for the year with a concerning health issue.

The Pistons announced on Wednesday that rookie wing Ausar Thompson will miss the final 14 games of the season while being treated for a blood clot. The team does add that Thompson, 21, has been cleared to resume conditioning and will begin non-contact basketball activities upon the conclusion of the regular season. He will have a gradual ramp-up and is expected to make a “full return” next season.

Detroit used a lottery pick on Thompson in last year’s draft (No. 5 overall). He was a stout defensive presence as a rookie but struggled to find his shot (posting shooting splits of 48/19/60). Thompson wraps up his rookie season with averages of 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals a game.

While some like Chris Bosh are big exceptions, other NBA players such as Brandon Ingram have overcome clotting issues to resume their careers and do so at a high level. With Thompson expected to make a full recovery for next season, that is great news for both him and the Pistons, who have not exactly had much go right this year.