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

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 13: Hamidou Diallo #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Hamidou Diallo can jump out of the gym

Just last year, Hamidou Diallo posted the second-highest vertical in NBA combine history. The 6’5″ guard was less than two inches shy of the record, set by D.J. Stephens in 2013, with his 44.5 vertical jump at the 2017 combine test.

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At the time many presumed the Kentucky wing man would enter the draft with a descent shot of being a first round selection. Instead he elected to return to school to develop his game.

While some prospects benefited by an additional year of school Diallo’s extra year resulted in his stock plummeting. Free throw shooting and offensive gaps were highlighted with the intense spotlight which follows Kentucky. Upon returning to the combine he did himself no favors by posting a vertical a full four inches shorter than the previous year.

But, as is Sam Presti is wont to do he recognized the potential in the young shooting guard noting his athleticism and raw talent. One look at Diallo in Summer League washed away any doubt in the youth’s potential. The other key was his defensive improvements in one season. With the same work ethic the OKC Thunder believe the rookie will improve from the line and develop offensively.

He’s impressed enough to be the one prospect who earned a spot on the varsity squad over Devon Hall and Kevin Hervey.

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