Thunderous Intentions
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Views from OKC: Potential mid-major Thunder prospects

By Tony Heim

Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Troy Trojans forward Jordon Varnado (23) reacts during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Troy Trojans forward Jordon Varnado (23) reacts during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders forward Reggie Upshaw (30) blocks the shot of Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Jordan Murphy (3) during the first half of the game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders forward Reggie Upshaw (30) blocks the shot of Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Jordan Murphy (3) during the first half of the game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Views from OKC is a daily diary about the current state of the OKC Thunder. Today we talk about the best basketball tournament in the world.

As much as I want to talk about the recent string of success for the OKC Thunder, I feel like it’s only fair to use the 24 hours of time I’ve spent watching college basketball over the last two days. Plus my cohorts have a whole lot of Thunder content for you. And I’m going to limit this segment to a few mid-major prospects you’ve probably never heard of.

My favorite college basketball players are the unheralded recruits who play with a Russell Westbrook-like chip on their shoulders. These are the guys who come into the tournament with little intrigue, but a couple big games against better competition lifts their draft profile. Think Kyle O’Quinn, who is formerly from Norfolk State and now with the New York Knicks.

Related Story: Thunder fan guide to the Cincinnati Bearcats, South region bracket breakdown

Are any of these guys I’m about to name ever going to make the league? It’s hard to say. But one thing I do know is at least one team will give them a chance to prove themselves in the Summer League.

Anthony Lamb: I’m whipping this name out three years early and I don’t regret it one bit. As a freshman, Lamb dropped 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists against Purdue on Thursday. He was easily Vermont’s best player, scoring both in the paint and from beyond the arc. At 6’6 he’s a little undersized to play small forward in the NBA, but he’s got three more years to add strength to an already solid frame. Lamb shot 41% from deep on the season while also blocking over a shot a game. All I’m saying is keep this kid in mind; don’t be surprised if he leads the Catamounts to an upset win in the next couple of years.

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Reggie Upshaw: Upshaw first made a name for himself last year when he lead #14-seeded Middle Tennessee State over Georgetown in the Big Dance. This season Upshaw is back and he and his Blue Raiders are hungry for more. The senior forward dropped 19 points and 9 rebounds en route to a first round victory over the #5th-seed Minnesota Gophers. Upshaw’s numbers are slightly down from last season but that’s because the team around him is much improved. As an undersized four the 21-year old could be a mismatch with his combination of strength and speed. But most importantly, the kid is a gamer who has now shown up in two consecutive NCAA tournaments.

Jordan Varnado: Of the three players listed, Varnado is the only one ranked in Draft Express’ top mid-major prospects. And rightfully so. The sophomore small forward averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds a game for Troy this season; Friday against Duke he took his game to another level. Varnado dropped 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists, but it was his competitive drive that stood out. The 19-year old drove straight down Duke’s throat, hitting 6-7 from two-point range. His jumper is not great, but the brother of former NBA Jarvis Varnado has every other attribute of an NBA wing.

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