{"id":147020,"date":"2025-06-26T06:22:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T10:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=147020"},"modified":"2025-06-26T08:36:47","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T12:36:47","slug":"okc-draft-pick-thomas-sorber-thunder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/26\/okc-draft-pick-thomas-sorber-thunder\/","title":{"rendered":"Thunder Draft Pick From Georgetown Is More Than a Fit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>So <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/29\/okc-nba-finals-return-the-foretold-arrival\/\" target=\"_self\">when a team wins the NBA Finals<\/a>, most don&#8217;t have major business to take care of in the subsequent NBA Draft. Most of the time, winning teams don&#8217;t have major assets to consider in the event, and have very low selections. Well your 2025 NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, beg to differ. Fresh off the NBA Finals, the OKC draft pick mayhem continues as the team hauled in Georgetown product <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/thomas-sorber-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thomas Sorber<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_147052\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-147052\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-147052\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26533409_168414264_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-147052\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Thomas Sorber stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 15th pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Most of the time, a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/06\/okc-thunder-defense\/\" target=\"_self\">team that has a historic record<\/a> would select at No. 30. However, the Thunder found itself just outside the lottery. It\u2019s yet another reason why this team is seemingly set for the future. Making a big draft pick after a championship is such a cheat code.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Welcome to OKC, Thomas! <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/viiDPUs6nf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/viiDPUs6nf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/okcthunder\/status\/1938058617414197627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>A swashbuckling big man, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/21\/thomas-sorber-draft-lottery-buzz\/\" target=\"_self\">Sorber offers a lot of promise and potential<\/a> for OKC. At the age of 19, it seems that he will have a lot of time to develop and hone his talent. The Thunder selecting him was a surprise. But it seems that he is more than a fit with the team to begin with.<\/p>\n<h2>Thunder Draft Pick from Georgetown Is More Than a Fit<\/h2>\n<p>Coming off a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/23\/okc-2025-champions-takeaways-nba-finals-game-7\/\" target=\"_self\">fantastic NBA Finals finish<\/a>, Oklahoma City may still have some championship hangover. However, the team immediately went to business &#8211; continuing the work and getting back into the grind. The biggest proof of that is how ready the team is when it comes to almost everything.<\/p>\n<h3>Thomas Sorber is a Thunder Fan<\/h3>\n<p>For the last couple of months, Sorber has been really been sharing a lot of Thunder content on his socials. If you want further proof, he even ended up saying that his favorite movie is &#8220;Thunderstruck&#8221;, a film starring former OKC star <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a> back in his days with the team.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It feels amazing, honestly. I just can&#8217;t wait to get down there and see those guys.&#8221; Sorber said of joining the Thunder.<\/p>\n<p>He was even asked about how he felt about the energetic crowd that the Thunder brings to the table. &#8220;Oh my gosh, I&#8217;m just ready to get the crowd hyped. Ready to give them all I&#8217;ve got.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Thomas Sorber has been reposting Thunder content on TikTok for the last couple months<\/p>\n<p>it was meant to be <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yBzy1wXmff\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/yBzy1wXmff<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; \ud835\ude4e\ud835\ude60\ud835\ude6e\ud835\ude5a\ud835\ude59 \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa (@SkyedOKC) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SkyedOKC\/status\/1938058990606483643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Most fans were expecting Oklahoma City to move up in the draft. Considering the fact that they initially had no. 15 and 24 as selections, it was quite a good proposition. However, OKC is keen on keeping its moves a secret. Everything about the organization&#8217;s plans are so quiet that most predictions are wrong.<\/p>\n<p>For starters, initial predictions had OKC selecting <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/04\/noa-essengue-2025-nba-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Noa Essengue<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/14\/khaman-maluach-2025-nba-draft-joel-embiid\/\" target=\"_self\">Khaman Maluach<\/a>, and neither ended up in OKC. Eventually, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/04\/best-fits-for-thomas-sorber-2025-nba-draft\/\" target=\"_self\">Thunder brought in Sorber<\/a>, who was surprisingly a fit &#8211; starting with his love for the team.<\/p>\n<h3>How is Thomas Sorber a Fit for the Thunder?<\/h3>\n<p>Sorber will come into OKC as a backup big who can pass and play defense. At 6-foot-10, 255 lbs., it seems that he can offer the strength the team needs in the paint. While <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harteis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a> already fills that role, a backup like the Georgetown product is a good reserve to have.<\/p>\n<p>The rookie big is good on defense as well &#8211; something that is an identity for the Thunder. The fact that he can also stretch the floor and shoot the ball when needed is a plus. If you take a look at some of his games, Sorber offers the needed brute strength and force in the paint. He is also capable of setting up plays, which is an important commodity among centers nowadays.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"de\" dir=\"ltr\">THUNDER LEGEND THOMAS SORBER <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZKheWbGq9u\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/ZKheWbGq9u<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; \ud835\udc6a\ud835\udc90\ud835\udc8f\ud835\udc86 \ud83c\udf29 (@Three_Cone) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Three_Cone\/status\/1938053072707608794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Georgetown product&#8217;s ability to play off the ball is a wonder. He can cut and find open looks in the paint. If he is given the ball at a good spot, expect him to bully-ball his way to the basket. That&#8217;s just another plus that OKC would want from him. Length? Sorber&#8217;s got that covered with a 7-foot-6 wingspan &#8211; a strong fit with the rest of the squad.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"nl\" dir=\"ltr\">Thunder all-wingspan lineup next season.<\/p>\n<p>SGA: 7\u2019 wingspan<br \/>Dort: 6\u20199 wingspan<br \/>JDub: 7\u20193 wingspan<br \/>Sorbet: 7\u20196 wingspan <br \/>Chet: 7\u20196 wingspan<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BrandonRahbar\/status\/1938068107706437992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>That helps OKC well in rotating the ball, which should earn him steady minutes in the long run. Sorber averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and two blocks per game on 53.2% shooting. Those are solid numbers for a center whose dynamic could fit well with Oklahoma City&#8217;s style of play, especially with his consistency.<\/p>\n<h3>Expect Some Explosive Plays from Sorber in the Summer League<\/h3>\n<p>Sorber enters the 2025-26 season as the only first-round selection by the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, it is worth noting that OKC is well-known for developing talent at a high level. That will surely benefit the rookie center as he starts his run with Oklahoma City joined by <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/topicni01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikola Topic<\/a> &#8211; another rookie who was a part of the roster last season. The Serbian guard missed the 2024-25 run due to an injury, but <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/14\/okc-nikola-topic-future\/\" target=\"_self\">has the makings of a potential star<\/a> too.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing how <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/12\/best-chance-okc-win-finals\/\" target=\"_self\">Oklahoma City is projected for big success<\/a> in the coming run once more, Sorber is going to have a huge role on that end. After all, he has started the hype for the Thunder to go back-to-back in the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLet\u2019s get ready to go back to back!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>-Thomas Sorber on his one message to Thunder fans <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mLkZcpcKPY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/mLkZcpcKPY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; The Daniel Bell\u00a9 (@BasketballGuruD) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BasketballGuruD\/status\/1938067097885806671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>For now, let&#8217;s wait to see the upcoming Summer League featuring some massive pick-and-roll plays from Topic and Sorber. If we&#8217;re lucky, we may also be seeing some lobs that ends up in a Sorber throwdown. That&#8217;s going to be a sight to behold.<\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: \u00a9 Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So when a team wins the NBA Finals, most don&#8217;t have major business to take care of in the subsequent NBA Draft. Most of the time, winning teams don&#8217;t have major assets to consider in the event, and have very low selections. Well your 2025 NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, beg to differ. Fresh [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5536,"featured_media":147053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,556,3,22],"tags":[49375,993,69,49139,49963],"class_list":["post-147020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-nba-draft","category-news","category-thunder","tag-2025-nba-draft","tag-isaiah-hartenstein","tag-kevin-durant","tag-nikola-topic","tag-thomas-sorber"],"modified_by":"Kenny Kluska","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5536"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147020"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147020\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":147054,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147020\/revisions\/147054"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}