For the second consecutive month, a member of the Detroit Pistons was named Defensive Player of the Month, but this time Ausar Thompson was on the receiving end for his lockdown performances throughout January after Isaiah Stewart earned the honor in December. 

During that stretch, Ausar had multiple games with 5+ steals as he's quickly becoming one of the best stock collectors in the entire NBA. Given his ability to guard most positions on the floor, Thompson gives Detroit some rotational flexibility thanks to his dogged, relentless approach at the point of attack.

Thompson is only in his 3rd season as a pro, so the future remains absurdly bright for the dynamic defender. With a bit of foresight to the end of season awards, Ausar may even be in line to wind up on the All-Defensive 1st Team when all is said and done.