OKC Thunder Trivia: uncovering 50 fun, surprising and random facts

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NEW YORK – JUNE 26: Russell Westbrook selected number four overall by the Seattle SuperSonics poses for a portrait backstage during the 2008 NBA Draft on June 26, 2008 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser /NBAE via Getty Images) /

Russell Westbrook was Seattle’s last draft pick.

Drafted in 2008 as the fourth overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics, Russell Westbrook became the very last pick by Seattle before the team relocated to Oklahoma City.

Westbrook was drafted out of UCLA and, though he left the school to join the NBA, Westbrook later returned to complete his degree.

At the time many thought General Manager Sam Presti was reaching with the Russell Westbrook selection. The three players who were selected ahead of Westbrook were Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo. Payers of significance who were drafted after Russ were Kevin Love, Eric Gordon and Brook Lopez. In hindsight it seems Presti was dead on the money.

Analysts on site at the draft called the pick a reach suggesting the team and Presti would regret the decision. Little did they know a future MVP had just been selected and would go on to become the captain and leader of the OKC Thunder.

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