When The OKC Thunder Hacks The NBA Draft…Again

When The OKC Thunder Hacks The NBA Draft…Again

the Oklahoma City Thunder just kicked off their post championship era by selecting the best overall center from the 2025 NBA draft and 6’10 big man Thomas Sorber with the 15th overall pick well for a team who just won the NBA title who will have every single player from their championship roster back under contract next season who will also have last year’s lottery pick Nicola Topic coming back from injury you could argue that OKC doesn’t really have a lot of roster needs to fill out over the offseason in fact the Thunder have a roster crunch to deal with over the summer as Sorber is going to be the 16th guaranteed contract on the team but then setting that part aside Thomas Sorber is a player who immediately gives OKC an obvious path to a potential future where they can’t afford to extend Isaiah Hardenstein past the 2026 season and overall Sorber gives OKC the kind of two-way bigbodied center that they’ve never been able to draft over the course of the team’s rebuild well first off the raw numbers already stands out for Sorber as he averaged 148 and five together with two blocks and one and a half steals per game on a solid 66% true shooting in his sole season at Georgetown and despite him missing the last nine games of the season due to a foot injury Sorber’s eight recorded double doubles was also the third most by any division 1 freshman this past college basketball season further proof of his remarkable production is the fact that Thomas Sorber became just the second highlevel freshman in NCAA Division 1 history to average at least 14 points eight rebounds two assists two blocks and one and a half steals per game in a year alongside Chris Weber who did it in 1992 but to swing for further upside in the 2025 NBA draft OKC also used their 44th overall pick to select 6’6 wing Brooks Barnheiser from Northwestern University a four-year player who wasn’t even a part of most mock drafts during the pre-draft process despite him putting up a well-rounded 178 and four statline with 2.3 steals and one block per game in his senior season but Sam Prey prey and the Thunder have obviously identified Barnheiser’s talent and how his Swiss Army knife capabilities and his gritty play on both ends of the floor could make him a solid rotation piece for the team in the near future so what’s good everyone it’s Real Balls here and today let’s dive into these two players to see how the OKC Thunder might have hacked the NBA draft once again so let’s get to it thomas Sorber kind of seems like a throwback kind of big man in a way that most of his scoring comes with his back to the basket but despite standing 6′ 10 with a huge 260lb frame what stands out to me the most is how he’s got such impressive footwork and such great feel on the post and together with his 7’6 wingspan he uses those to offset his lack of vertical athleticism and explosive bounce around the basket in the paint Sorber is able to carve space with just a single dribble while using his body to overpower his defender on his way to the rim and is also able to use a variety of moves such as baseline spins reverse finishes and semi hooks to score efficiently at the basket allowing Sorber to convert almost 69% of his shots at the rim in half court situations which ranked in the 89th percentile of college basketball plus it’s even more impressive that he was able to do that despite sporting a massive 24.2% 2% usage rate in college which made him attract a lot of defensive attention but based on how OKC plays I think it’s safe to say that Sorber wouldn’t be expected to be mostly a post up big in the NBA and it’s highly likely that at least early on he will have to find scoring opportunities without the ball in his hands but the good thing is Sorber is also very active off the ball he identifies gaps in the paint where he uses his wide body to seal off defenders while also utilizing his great hands to catch quick passes which leads to him getting easy finishes around the basket sorber is also well-versed playing as the big man in the pick and roll where he’s able to execute handoffs and create space for ball handlers while also displaying great timing on his dives to the basket while in college Sorber converted only 50% of his shots as a rollman in the pick and roll and while that’s a low number for a big in OKC I think those percentages could jump once he gets more space to operate as a lob threat because of the gravity that OKC’s ball handlers will bring sure the Thunder don’t really run a lot of traditional guard to big pick and rolls but recently especially in the playoffs we’ve seen Hardenstein run a couple of those ball screen plays with Shay and Jub to give OKC’s offense some variety and I believe that is a role that Sorberg can sort of grow into in the long run although to be a cleaner fit as part of OKC’s schemes it would be nice to see Sorber develop more of a face up game and in college he was actually able to show glimpses of those he’s got that hard jab step which he uses to occasionally set up a mid-range jumper but I think what really stands out is how he was able to display the ability to use his functional handle and foot speed to get to the paint from the perimeter here in early offense you can see Sorber catching the ball at the wing he immediately runs a fake dribble handoff and with one dribble and a solid gather he overpowers his defender before he uses his long arms to convert off the glass then here you can see Sorber running an inverted pick and roll he uses the guard screen to generate momentum of his attack and you can see him just blowing right into his man onto the paint and from there he spins and with his size there’s nothing his defender or the help can do to stop that semi hook shot well we have yet to see if his face up game could translate to the NBA level but it’s definitely an intriguing scoring tool which when developed can really open up a lot of things for the Thunder although right off the bat what makes Sorber such a great fit in OKC is his advanced feel and vision as a passer as part of a roster filled with solid playmakers from every position Sorber will slide right in as a big man who can be a secondary playmaker or connector with his ability to make quick reads without being a ball stopper in college Sorber put up a solid 1 is to1 assist to turnover ratio which is pretty good for a big man once he attracts two on the ball while on the post and once he identifies the gaps in the defense Sorber can make some swing passes and kick outs to open teammates on the perimeter but while on the perimeter he’s also displayed the ability to make some flashy dimes to cutting teammates and because of the passing flare and quick decision-making with the ball I’m really intrigued as to how OKC could use him in the long term as a short role playmaker in a role wherein Sorber can act as a zone breaker for the Thunder just as Hardenstein did for the team in the playoffs but then another part of Sorber’s game that can immediately help OKC is his rebounding again Sorber’s not an explosive leaper but he is a strong positional rebounder who’s averaged almost nine rebounds per game in college he uses his good motor functional athleticism and constant effort to secure position underneath the basket and to constantly fight for possessions this past season iHeart was able to help address some of OKC’s rebounding and paint issues but it would also be nice to have another big body especially one who has a 7’6 wingspan to secure positions for them off the bench but overall Sorber ceiling on the offensive end will still rest on the viability of his three-point shot at the NBA level well sure he only shot 16% from deep in college but it’s worth noting that he only took one and a half three-point attempts per game and he didn’t really hunt for outside shots nonetheless Sorber was a willing shooter who had multiple games wherein he attempted more than two three-pointers and I definitely buy his shooting potential because first off Sorberers got clean consistent mechanics and is also a 72% free throw shooter so more than it being a mechanical problem I think it’s the lack of in-game reps or potentially some range issues that has caused Sorber’s low three-point percentage however those are things that can definitely be fixed by the Thunder shooting coach Chip England overall Sorber’s offensive potential is already so intriguing but the things he does on the defensive end will already have you daydreaming in the 24 games he played in college Sorber has produced 84 steals and blocks combined which is proof of his insane activity on that end again he doesn’t have elite athletic pop but his size length and that plus nine wingspan together with his high motor and timing has allowed him to produce a dominant 7.6% block rate which is even higher than the 6.8 block rate of Kan Malawatch sorber will be able to function as a secondary rim protector for OKC right from day one just by standing around the paint waiting for drivers that he can swallow up in space but even in the pick and roll Sorber is already well-versed as a drop coverage defender who can prevent plays from developing and while he will have to show that he can cover more ground against quicker guards and more athletic bigs in the NBA this is when you can see the beauty of OKC having someone like Chad Hungren who you can play next to Sorber in double big lineups as Chad can be a backline defender who can cover for Sorber as a weak side helper around the paint but it’s not just Sorber shot blocking that gets your attention on defense for context other bigs the past couple years who had extremely high steel rates coming out of college were Oneka Okongu OKC’s own Jay Will and Brandon Clark who all produced a 2.2 steel rate meanwhile Thomas Sorber steel rate is at 3.3 he’s just got quick active hands and a disruptive mentality which allows him to break plays off the ball or even from the point of attack which is something you don’t usually see from bigs here you can see Sorber getting switched to a guard in space watch him mirror the guy with his footwork while using that wide body and ball pressure to take the guy off his balance before Sorber pounces for the steel but for Sorber to really fit in as part of OKC switch everything type of defense it is crucial for him to at least show the ability to make soft switches at the next level which he was able to do to some extent in college well as a 6’10 big he will obviously give up speed advantage at the NBA level but I don’t think he’ll totally get punished by a ton of guards and wings because of his length and his decent footwork at 19 years old Sorber will definitely be afforded some time to develop before he would really need to play big minutes for the Thunder but at the very least I see Sorber developing into a solid rotation big who brings energy rebounding and defense off the bench but if the shooting and the other offensive tools come along and develop I think he could be a starting caliber big man who can complement Chad Homegrren in the front court a few years down the line moving on just like Sorber what also immediately stands out for Brooks Barnheiser is his intensity and hustle on the defensive end he’ll probably initially be on a two-way contract spending time with the OKC Blue because of the Thunder’s roster crunch but in those moments when he gets called to play for the Thunder his immediate impact will most likely be seen on the defensive end he’s not necessarily a lockdown guy but standing 6’6 with a 611 wingspan Barnheiser will fit right in for OKC as a team defender who would be able to guard positions one to four and who would be able to cause chaos with his ability to swap the rack off ball handlers or to make disruptions off passing lanes as evidenced by his 2.3 steal per game average and after getting a steal Barnheiser is always ready to let loose on the open floor to score off high energy finishes in transition this is perfect for a Thunder team who’s the best in the NBA at taking advantage of opponents mistakes by running and converting off fast break opportunities but aside from the steels I think what really gets your attention is Barnheiser’s 1.1 block per game average and 3.6 block rate which is elite for a 6’6 wing although he’s not a laterally quick defender Barnheiser has got great motor timing and decent verticality which allows him to battle through ball screens and to be physical with his man to be able to force tough layups or jumpers just like any Thunder player Barnheiser is a dog on the defensive end and will do just about anything to make sure that opponents won’t get any easy shots off meanwhile on the offensive end Barnheiser mostly gets his buckets off aggressive drives to the basket in his senior year he produced .097 points per possession out of isolation plays which ranked in the 73rd percentile of college basketball while Barnheiser’s rim pressure is still limited because of his subpar burst off the dribble but he was still able to score on a lot of his drives because of his decent handles solid footwork and a good understanding of scoring angles as he attacks the rim he is a physical paint attacker who isn’t afraid of contact and even though tougher defenders sometimes limit him from getting all the way to the basket Barnheiser is able to reroute his attack using his mid-range arsenal composed of baby hooks and tough fall away jumpers and while Barnheiser won’t be asked to make shots for the Thunder at high volume anytime soon he could still impact the team’s offense right off the bat with his high feel as a playmaker as his display the ability to make highlevel reads as a pick and roll ball handler as well as the ability to make complex entry passes to teammates in the paint his passes aren’t necessarily flashy but Barnheiser always just moves the ball consistently and he doesn’t hesitate to make quick passes once he spots open teammates during his senior year he put up a solid 24% assist rate which is almost Dylan Harper level so I have no doubts that once he adjusts to the pace of the NBA Barnheiser will be able to operate as a secondary ball handler for the Thunder but then just like Sorber Barnheiser’s offensive ceiling rest on the viability of his three-pointer at the next level during his junior year he shot 35% from deep but this past season his three-point percentage was down to 26% on 3.8 attempts per game but then I think context matters in this situation as Bourneheiser has been dealing with a nagging foot injury throughout the 17 games he’s played as a senior which obviously affected his ability to push off and jump when taking three-pointers plus his attempts have also been affected by him being the player most expected to make contested three-pointers late in the shot clock but given a more scalable role in OKC as an energy guy off the bench who doesn’t have to do too much on the offensive end I think he still projects to be a respectable shooter at the next level overall at 23 years old Brooks Barnheiser will join the Thunder as an NBA ready rotational player who could be a plug-and-play defensively stout wing and who could also impact the game with his paint touches and connective passing who I think already has the tools to be a potential X factor for OKC in a playoff setting thank you guys if you’ve made it this far into the video and if you did enjoy this one please do me a favor by hitting that like button and also if you’re new to the channel please consider subscribing as well again this has been Rio Balls and I’ll see you on the next one peace

#NBA #OKCThunder #NBAhighlights

We Just Witnessed One of The Greatest Seasons of All-Time when the OKC Thunder have just been named 2025 NBA Champions after they defeated the Indiana Pacers in 7 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named Finals MVP together with a core of Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, among others, the Thunder dynasty might have begun to take over the NBA. But then again, Sam Presti has once again done an amazing job in the 2025 NBA Draft, when the Thunder drafted big man Thomas Sorber with the 15th overall pick, and wing Brooks Barnhizer 44th overall. They aren’t big names like Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper, but OKC have once again bolstered their roster for another potential championship run next season.

The NBA offseason has officially kicked off. Kevin Durant has been traded to Houston Rockets, and maybe Giannis Antetokounmpo gets moved as well. Lonzo Ball has been traded to the Cavs and Kristaps Porzingis has been traded to Atlanta. OKC might not have to do anything in free agency because of their championship roster still being intact. Shai Gilgeous-Alexader has validated his MVP season with this championship and the Thunder will be remembered as the team who made a historic run to the NBA title, after they defeated Ja Morant and the Grizzlies, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, and Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves before defeating the Pacers in the Finals. OKC might be building a dynasty after Sam Presti has accomplished the best rebuild in league history. Even after winning an NBA title, the Thunder still owns the biggest collection of future draft assets the league has ever seen.

For similar content, please search for:
NBA, OKC Thunder NBA champions, NBA draft, Oklahoma City Thunder, Thunder win NBA championship, winners and losers of the Nba draft, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Tyrese Haliburton, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, OKC Thunder timeline, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs, Giannis trade, Kevin Durant trade to Houston Rockets, OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers NBA finals, NBA draft results, NBA NBA highlights, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, NBA games, Thunder dynasty, Josh Giddey, Steph Curry, NBA analysis, Russell Westbrook, NBA statistics, Mind the game podcast, NBA videos

Check out these videos too:

We Just Witnessed One of The Greatest Seasons of All-Time

Basketball But It’s Squid Games!

This Top NBA Draft Picks Nightmare Has Just Begun:

Basketball vs Baseball – Who are better athletes

This Was A Generational Mistake:

The Craziest Trade In NBA History:

I Surprised Steph Curry With Custom Shoes:

Are We Witnessing The Greatest Peak In NBA History?

My content is inspired by creators like Mike Korzemba, Thinking Basketball, JxmyHighroller and Andy Hoops

All music are created by Riro Balls
Written by Riro Balls
Edited by Vicky Pabz