OKC Thunder: The Breakfast Club step into the spotlight

OKC Thunder: Isaiah Roby

Roby has cemented himself as a Thunder mainstay. With Al Horford taking time away from this season for the birth of his child earlier in the year, Roby fit right into the starting five.

In his second season in the NBA, the 23-year-old is averaging 8.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 54.1 percent shooting and 19.9 minutes per game.

In 2019 he was picked 45th overall by the Detroit Pistons and traded to the Dallas Mavericks. But this is Roby’s first official season since playing only 11 minutes in his first year.

Before all of this, he was just a kid growing up in the small city of Dixon, Illinois. With a population of about 16,000 people, basketball is not something that comes to mind. There are only a few other players from Dixon who have even made it to Division-1 basketball.

As Roby described when he was in college, being from there shaped him into who he is today.

"“Small town kid, it’s something that’s always been a part of my identity. I have that underdog mentality and a chip on my shoulder of being from a small town. I have a lot of pride in that.“"

This couldn’t be more fitting with the Thunder being from a small market and often carrying a dark horse mentality while sustaining success over the years.

Coming out of Dixon High School, Roby received just a single Division-1 scholarship offer from the University of Nebraska and carved up a nice college career while there.

As Roby told NBC Sports when in College, he would have to drive 90 minutes or more just to get to AAU practice. His mother Danielle ensured that no matter what, her son was able to play.

"“My mom picked up multiple jobs at a time for me to be in those positions and in order for me to be where I am today…she’s the reason that I was able to play AAU basketball because those things aren’t cheap. You know, traveling, paying for team fees, paying for hotel fees.”"

Now playing for the Thunder, Roby embodies the same tenacity and drive every time he steps foot on the hardwood. Being the second oldest of five boys, they would make everything a competition. Perhaps this is the origin of his fierceness on the court.

Before making the NBA, he said: “I know I need to work on parts of my game and develop further, but I think down the line I’m going to be a starter in this league and a player that sticks around for multiple years.”

And well, a couple of years later, he is achieving just that.