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

By Heather Koontz

Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – FEBRUARY 12: Guard Nerles Noel #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats sets for play against the Florida Gators February 12, 2013 at Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. Noel was injured in the second half and the Gators won 69 – 52. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – FEBRUARY 12: Guard Nerles Noel #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats sets for play against the Florida Gators February 12, 2013 at Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. Noel was injured in the second half and the Gators won 69 – 52. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

An injury greatly impacted the future of Nerlens Noel.

After his sophomore year in high school, Nerlens Noel was transferred to Tilton School in Tilton, New Hampshire, where he averaged 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game during his senior year.

In 2012, ESPN rated him the #1 player in his class, and he was selected to play in the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic. That same year, The New York Times offered some high praise:

"Nerlens Noel is a 6-foot-10 basketball star considered the best prospect from the Boston area since Patrick Ewing. He is the top-ranked high school senior in the country, and hailed as the best shot blocker of his generation. The 17-year-old son of working-class Haitian immigrants, he could be worth $10 million in about 16 months when he is eligible for the 2013 N.B.A draft."

After considering his (many) collegiate options, Noel eventually signed with the University of Kentucky. During his time there, Noel was awarded the SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC First Team, SEC All Freshman Team, and SEC Community Service Team.

Sadly, during a game against the Florida Gators in February of 2013, Noel tore his ACL. Before the injury, he was projected to be the 1st pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. After the injury, Noel was sidelined.

He still declared for the draft in 2013, however, and was selected 6th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. In July of 2018, Noel signed a two-year contract with the OKC Thunder.

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