Identical twins Amen and Ausar Thompson share an unusual middle name (“XLNC”) and an unusual story that’s taken both to the NBA.”

The native Californians (born one minute apart in 2003) passed on their senior years in high school and com- pletely sidestepped college, preferring the Overtime Elite, a pro league for 16- to 20-year-olds.

That roundabout route isn’t for everyone, but it worked for them.

On June 22, Amen was the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft, by Houston, and Ausar the fifth selection, by Detroit.

They become the sixth set of twins to reach the NBA but by far the highest drafted and likely the richest. As of 2022, the No. 4 pick was guaranteed $7.3 million as a rookie with No. 5 getting $6.5 million.

To begin high school, the twins moved from California to Pine Crest High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they led their team to a state title.

Already given consensus four-star ratings by the recruiting services, they left high school a year early to sign with Overtime. Both were assigned to the City Reapers squad.

In two seasons, the 6-foot-7, 200-pound guards helped the Reap- ers to back-to-back crowns (Ausar was Finals MVP) while shining their resumes for the NBA.

Each twin earned about $100,000 for each season plus bonuses.

Bypassing college is becoming trendy. Already Overtime has signed the nation’s top ranked guard, Robert Dillingham. The Hickory, N.C., native had originally committed to Kentucky.

Here are the other twins who have played or are playing in the NBA:

Tom and Dick Van Arsdale (out of Indiana University): Played in NBA in 1960s and 1970s.

Horace and Harvey Grant (Clemson): Were in NBA late 1980s to early 2000s.

Jarron and Jason Collins (Stanford): Early 2000s.

Brook and Robin Lopez (Stanford): Present.

Marcus and Markieff Morris (Kansas): Present

As expected, the first overall pick of the ’23 draft was 7-foot-4, 19-year- old Victor Wembanyama from France. “Wemby’s” expected first-year salary with San Antonio should be above $9 million.

The Frenchman with the eight-foot wingspan is arguably the most ballyhooed top pick since LeBron James was drafted No.1 by Cleveland in 2003 out of Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary High.