Seven former OKC Thunder players participate in BIG3 combine and draft
The Big3 Draft Combine and 2019 Draft occurs in Las Vegas April 30 and May 1 with seven former OKC Thunder players in the mix.
The third season of the BIG3 League is the focus in Las Vegas these next two days as the combine and draft take place. Actor, musician director Ice Cube founded the league with partner Jeff Kwatinetz. For OKC Thunder fans tune in to see seven former players involved in the event.
Each season the BIG3 pro league has grown in popularity and this year is expected to offer the best talent yet. The league is based on three on three teams played in the half court and features former NBA players including former stars, G-League players, and European players.
Here is the full 2019 Draft Pool, via the BIG3 app!
— BIG3 (@thebig3) April 29, 2019
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Part of the reason the BIG3 is expected to gain further popularity this year is the new TV contract with CBS Sports.
For OKC Thunder fans there are seven former players involved in the mix. Kendrick Perkins is a Co-Captain of Team Alien while Anthony Morrow is Co-Captain of team Bivouac.
The five former Thunder players who’ll be among those who are part of the draft pool are Joe Smith, Perry Jones, Ronnie Brewer, Ryan Gomes, and Nate Robinson. The combine features 132 pro players competing for 31 roster spots.
The 2019 Combine is going down. Where you at?? 🔥🔥🔥 #yayyay @icecube pic.twitter.com/CBX2UFMVL2
— BIG3 (@thebig3) April 30, 2019
Kendrick Perkins
Played five seasons with the Thunder and while his stats might not jump off the page his presence was important in that Sam Presti added him at the trade deadline to add championship playoff experience to the squad which featured the young core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Perk is also infamous for coining “the cupcake” phrase which became synonymous with KD when he bolted for Golden State and Westbrook posted a picture of Independence Day cupcakes. The phrase “cupcake” was used to imply a player was being soft.
| Season | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 2PA | 2P% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 17 | 25.2 | 4.2 | .493 | 4.2 | .493 | .531 | 2.3 | 5.6 | 7.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 5.1 |
| 2011-12 | 65 | 26.8 | 4.0 | .489 | 4.0 | .489 | .652 | 1.8 | 4.7 | 6.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 5.1 |
| 2012-13 | 78 | 25.1 | 4.0 | .457 | 4.0 | .458 | .611 | 1.4 | 4.6 | 6.0 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 4.2 |
| 2013-14 | 62 | 19.5 | 3.1 | .451 | 3.1 | .453 | .552 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 3.4 |
| 2014-15 | 51 | 19.2 | 3.6 | .441 | 3.6 | .443 | .507 | 1.6 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 4.0 |
| 5 seasons | 273 | 23.1 | 3.8 | .463 | 3.7 | .465 | .584 | 1.6 | 4.3 | 5.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 4.2 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2019.
Anthony Morrow
For two and half seasons Anthony Morrow resided in OKC helping the Thunder with his veteran leadership and to provide perimeter scoring. His first season Morrow played in 74 games and produced his best results.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2019.
Nate Robinson
The OKC Thunder picked up Nate Robinson to add depth in the backcourt and offer another shooter if the team needed. He played in only four games in the season and three in the playoffs.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2019.
NATE 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/degH5Ylj4o
— BIG3 (@thebig3) April 30, 2019
Joe Smith
Like Nate Robinson, Joe Smith had a cup of coffee with the OKC Thunder playing in 36 games in the inaugural 2008-9 season. His veteran leadership no doubt helped with the development of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
| Season | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 2PA | 2P% | eFG% | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 36 | 19.2 | 6.1 | .454 | 5.9 | .453 | .459 | 1.5 | .704 | 4.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 6.6 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2019.
Perry Jones
Drafted in 2012 by the OKC Thunder in the first round as the 28th pick Perry Jones spent three seasons with the team. The hope was Jones would develop into a combo forward and develop his perimeter shot. His best season came with him playing the power forward although he returned to the small forward position the next season.
Notably, Jones was eventually traded to the Boston Celtics, plus cash and a 2019 second round pick in exchange for a 2018 second round pick which was conveyed to become Kevin Hervey this past summer.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2019.
Ronnie Brewer
Another player who spent less than a full season with the OKC Thunder and while he was still with the team he didn’t register any minutes in the playoffs.
| Season | Pos | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | 2PA | 2P% | eFG% | TRB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | SF | 14 | 10.1 | 1.6 | .261 | 0.4 | .200 | 1.3 | .278 | .283 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 0.9 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2019.
Ryan Gomes
Played five games in total for the Thunder in the 2013-14 season. All pretty much in garbage time with the games spread out through season start to the end of December.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2019.
Next. 2019 NBA Playoffs: round 2 odds, schedules, keys to advance. dark
The combine is taking place today (Tuesday, April 30) between 10 – 3 p.m. PT The lottery event also occurs today between 6 – 7 p.m. PT. And, the draft will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network on Wednesday, May 1 between 7 and 9 p.m. PT.