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OKC Thunder rookie numbers and the team history behind them

By Rylan Stiles

(L-R) Blake Wesley, Walker Kessler, Jaden Hardy, Tari Eason, Jalen Williams, Jalen Duren, AJ Griffen, Dyson Daniels, Johnny Davis, Jabari Smith, Bennedict Mathurin, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivy, Paulo Banchero, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, TyTy Washington, Keegan Murray, Ochai Agbaji, Ousmane Dieng, Malaki Branham, Mark Williams, Marjon Beauchamp, Nikola Jovic pose for a group onstage during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(L-R) Blake Wesley, Walker Kessler, Jaden Hardy, Tari Eason, Jalen Williams, Jalen Duren, AJ Griffen, Dyson Daniels, Johnny Davis, Jabari Smith, Bennedict Mathurin, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivy, Paulo Banchero, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, TyTy Washington, Keegan Murray, Ochai Agbaji, Ousmane Dieng, Malaki Branham, Mark Williams, Marjon Beauchamp, Nikola Jovic pose for a group onstage during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
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The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted a slew of rookies during last Thursday’s 2022 NBA Draft. The OKC Thunder walked away with three lottery picks, and four players total to wrap up their draft class. The 2022 OKC Thunder draft class was introduced to the local media on Saturday with those of us in the media able to ask them questions and get to know them and their journey to the NBA.

On Saturday, the team also issued the uniforms to the new rookies and we got to see which number each player selected. Let’s dive into what numbers each of the prospects opted for and the team history behind each jersey.

The OKC Thunder issued jersey numbers to Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ousmane Dieng, and Jaylin Williams over the weekend what does each number represent in Oklahoma City Thunder history?

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Chet Holmgren second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, and the team is looking for him to be a cornerstone piece for the organization. Holmgren was asked on draft night live on television what number he would select, and he asked if 34 was available. It is not. Kenrich Williams currently wears 34 for the OKC Thunder, an unfair question putting Holmgren on the spot at the time.

As the dust settled from Draft night, Holmgren selected the number 7 after Darius Bazley made the switch to 55. Joe Smith (2009), Kevin Ollie (2010), Royal Ivey (2011-14), Grant Jerrett (2015), Ersan Ilyasova (2017), Carmelo Anthony (2018), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (2019), and Darius Bazley (2020-22) have all worn the number in the past.

For Ousmane Dieng, the surprising pick at 11 as Sam Prest trades three future first-round picks to grab him, will wear the number 13. That number was last worn by Tony Bradley (2021) but also worn by Justin Patton (2020), Paul George (2018-19), Nazr Mohammed (2016), and James Harden (2010-12).

Jalen Williams, the 12th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft selected the number 8 due to his idol Kobe Bryant. Paul Watson (2022), Jaylen Hoard (2021), Danilo Gallinari (2020), Jawun Evans (2019), Alex Abrines (2017-19), Ish Smith (2015), Ryan Gomes (2014), Ronnie Brewer (2013), Nazr Mohammed (2011-12), Antonio Anderson (2010), and Chucky Atkins (2009) all wore the number before Williams.

Lastly, Jaylin Williams out of Arkansas selected the number 6 which was last worn by Melvin Frazier (2022), Gabriel Deck (2021-22), Hamidou Diallo (2019-21), Semaj Christon (2017), Randy Foye (2016), Steve Novak (2015-16), Derek Fisher (2013-14), and Eric Maynor (2010-13).

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