OKC Thunder 2023 NBA Draft Prospects Workout Tracker
By Rylan Stiles
It is that time of the year again! It is NBA Draft season, Victor Wembanyama edition! Throughout the NBA Draft cycle, there are huge milestones. The start of the season, March Madness, Declaration Day, the Combine, the NBA Draft Lottery, Prospect Interviews, and Private Workouts. That is what we are tracking throughout the NBA Draft Cycle for the OKC Thunder.
It is essential to note the Oklahoma City Thunder do not release who they have talked to, worked out with, or interviewed. This is becoming a common practice among teams and is the best route for organizations to go.
So this list will be complete to the point of what is reported. However, there will be workouts or interviews we are not aware of.
This list will be from prospects’ social media posts, agents, prospect interviews with the media, and other intel. Our Annual draft workout tracker disclaimer: Workouts do not mean much of anything. The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to get their hands on as many prospects during this team.
This is a data-collecting mode for the franchise, from first-round talents to projected undrafted free agents, top-five prospects to bottom 30 guys. It is the last time they can legally talk to these players and an important touch-point for future moves. No matter if that future is in June or well down the road in a player’s career.
Please bookmark this page, as it will be updated each time a workout is found out by myself or reported by others throughout this 2023 NBA Draft cycle.
The OKC Thunder 2023 NBA Draft Workout Tracker.
- Coleman Hawkins, 6’10, 200, Illinois: Hawkins averaged ten points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block per game while turning in shooting splits of 44/28/61. Hawkins posted on his Instagram story that he has worked out for the Thunder. Synergy grades Hawkins as a “very good” defender ranking in the 74th percentile.
- Jalen Slawson, 6’7, 210, Furman: The Furman Men’s Basketball Team Twitter account tweeted that Jalen Slawson worked out for the Oklahoma City Thunder. At Furman, Slawson averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game last year with shooting splits of 55/39/77. Slawson also posted 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. In addition, he ranked in the 93rd percentile in overall offense points per possession (1.085) while thriving in the Pick-and-roll, on cuts, in transition, and as a spot-up shooter.
- Jaylen Forbes, 6’5, 185, Tulane: A three-time All-AAC member, Forbes is a career 36 percent three-point shooter in college. Last season, Forbes turned in 38 percent from beyond the arc to 18 points, five rebounds, an assist, and two steals per game. Forbes revealed in an interview he will be working out with the OKC Thunder. Forbes is an excellent offensive player with 1.082 points per possession, grading out as a fantastic pick-and-roll partner and handler with excellent cutting skills and an incredible ability to run the floor. When coming off screens, Forbes shoots 47 percent.
- Seneca Knight, 6’7, 215, Illinois State: A five-year college player, Knight made a massive leap beyond the arc this season. Despite averaging just 31 percent from distance for his career, this season, Knight moved that mark up to 39 percent on three attempts per tilt (a career-high). Knight averaged 12 points, six rebounds, and an assist per game this past season. Along with his offense surge came really good defensive product for the Redbird wing.
- Jordan Hawkins, 6’5, 186, UCONN: Jordan Hawkins is well within the realm of possibility for the 12th overall pick. The OKC Thunder need someone with his shooting ability.
- Jarace Walker, 6’7, 249, Houston: The Oklahoma City Thunder need a player like Jarace Walker and he offers a perfect fit. The issue being, the Thunder might need to trade up for him.
- Dereck Lively, 7’1, 230, Duke: The OKC Thunder fanbase will love the news that the team has met with a true big man. However, selecting the Duke center at 12 might be a bit of a reach.
- Trayce Jackson-Davis, 6’9, 245, Indiana: A consensus All-American and four time All-Big Ten member, Jackson-Davis placed in 126 career games in college. Shooting 58 percent from the floor, and 69 percent from the free throw line last season but did not take a three pointer in college. Last seaosn, Jackson-Davis averaged three blocks per game.
- Noah Clowney, 6’10, 210, Alabama: Averaging 9 points, eight rebounds, and a block per game, Clowney offers a great ability to switch on the defensive end. However, shooting just 28 percent form beyond the arc is a bit concerning.
- GG Jackson, 6’8.25 without shoes, 214, South Carolina: GG Jackson posted 15 points, six rebounds, and nearly a block per game while shooting 32 percent from beyond the arc. As a catch and shoot threat, as well as an interior scorer and upside ball handler, the 18 year old is one of the most interesting and polarizing names in the draft.
- Keyonte George, 6’4, 185, Baylor: In 33 games the All-Freshman guard posted 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting 37 percent from the floor, 33 percent from beyond the arc, and 79 percent at the line.
- Jett Howard, 6’8, 215, Michigan: In 29 games, the Wolverine guard averaged 14 points, two rebounds, and as many assists while shooting 41 percent from the floor, 36 percent from beyond the arc, and 80 percent from the free throw line.
- Nick Smith Jr, 6’5, 185, Arkansas: In 17 games the Razorback point guard averaged 12 points, a rebounds, and an assist per game with shooting splits of 37/33/74.
- Cason Wallace, 6’4, 193, Kentucky: Cason Wallace earned All-Freshman honors at Kentucky on his way to averaging 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game. Wallace shot 34 percent from three and an encouraging 75 percent from the free throw line.
- Anthony Black, 6’7, 198, Arkansas: Anthony Black had a meeting with the OKC Thunder, and many have compared his game to Josh Giddey’s. In fact, he said himself he enjoys watching the Thunder play. However, the Thunder would likely need to move up from 12 to land Anthony Black in the draft.
- Brandon Podziemski, 6’5, 200, Santa Clara: Another Santa Clara riser at the combine? Sign me up. Podziemski was able to dominate combine scrimmages though some of his measurements will get him dinged by NBA teams. Podziemski shot 43 percent from beyond the arc.
- Adama Sanogo, 6’9, 240, UCONN: The NCAA Champion big man was on the All-Tournament team and a two time all-Big-East member. Averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, and shooting 60 percent from the floor as well as an encouraging 36 percent from three (three attempts per game) and 76 percent from the line.
- Leonard Miller, 6’10, 211, G-League Ignite: Leonard Miller is flying up draft boards and many link him to the OKC Thunder at pick 12. Now it is confirmed he has met with OKC.
- Emoni Bates, 6’9, 190, Eastern Michigan: Bates was once a prized NBA Draft prospect before leaving Memphis and heading to Eastern Michigan. Bates averaged 19 points, five rebounds, and an assist per game while shooting 40 percent from the floor, 33 percent from beyond the arc, and 78 percent from the line. Finding out his range will be important, but if he is anywhere around pick 37, I would be interested in OKC taking a flyer on him.
- Drew Timme, 6’10, 235 pounds, Gonzaga: The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Timme’s back court mate, Chet Holmgren, at pick two last year. During that cycle they worked out Timme and expect to do the same this year. Timme would be a prime candidate for pick 50.
- Eric Gaines, 6’3, 155, UAB: Gaines is an elite athlete, playing in 40 games a year ago for UAB after starting his college career at LSU. Gaines averagd 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game while shooting 39 percent from the floor, 33 percent from three, and 79 percent at the charity stripe. Gaines is in the 60th percentile in isolation offense, 65th percentile as a cutter, and shot 38 percent on catch and shoot chances.
- Charles Bediako, 7’0, 225, Alabama: An interesting draft target for the OKC Thunder, Bediako was an All-Defensive player at Alabama collecting nearly two blocks per game.
- Zach Edey, 7’4, 305, Purdue: Zach Edey would be an interesting option at pick 50 as a change of pace player for a few spot minutes.
- Maxwell Lewis, 6’7, 195, Pepperdine: A projected first-round pick, Lewis dominated in college with 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game a year ago.
- Tramon Mark, 6’5, 195, Arkansas: At Arkansas last year, Mark scored ten points, hauled in five rebounds, and dished out nearly two assists per game but was not efficient with the Razorbacks.
- Sir’ Jabari Rice, 6’4, 180, Texas: 13 points per game with three rebounds and two assists and shooting 37 percent from the three point line and 86 percent at the charity stripe is very encouraging. Though, he should be on the board at pick 50.
- Justin Powell, 6’6, 205, Washington State: Love his shooting ability, worth a flyer on that alone. He should last until pick 50
- Gabe Kalscheur, 6’4, 200, Iowa State: A nice second round target, but he will likely go undrafted.
- Gradey Dick, 6’8, 205, Kansas: Gradey Dick is one of my favorite draft prospects for the OKC Thunder, and he has a great Tik Tok account! The sharpshooter would fit right in! But he is more than just a shooter. OKC may actually need to be in the top-ten to grab Gradey Dick.
- Taylor Hendricks, 6’9, 210, UFC: Hendricks is one of the fan favorites in this 2023 NBA Draft for the OKC Thunder. A perfect fit at the power forward spot next to Chet Holmgren.
- Mike Miles, 6’2, 195, TCU: The OKC Thunder worked out Mike Miles ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft a source told me. At TCU, Miles averaged 18 points, two rebounds, two assists, and 1.5 STOCKS per game last year on 49/36/75 shooting splits a year ago.
- Justice Sueing, 6’6, 215, Ohio State: Sueing has been in college since 2017-18 split between California and Ohio State. Last year with the Buckeyes, Sueing averaged 12 points, five rebounds, an assist, and 1.1 STOCKS per game.
- Isaiah Miranda, 7’0, 200, NC State: Miranda has removed his name from the NBA Draft and committed to Oklahoma State.
- Caleb McConnell, 6’7, 195, Rutgers: McConnell is one of the best defensive prospects in the class, as a two-time All Big-Ten defensive team member and two-time conference defensive player of the year, last year averaging 2.5 steals and half a block per game.
- Tyree Appleby, 6’0, 175, Wake Forest: An All-ACC guard, Appleby averaged 18 points, three rebounds, and six assists for Wake Forest a year ago. The 24 year old is a bit undersized but would be an interesting undrafted free agent target.
- Nick Ongenda, 6’11, 210, DePaul: Ongenda only played in eight games this season but averaged 12 points, six rebounds, an assist, a steal, and four blocks per game which shows his shot swatting ability. For his career averages, the DePaul product averaged six points, three rebounds, and over a block and a half per game while shooting 53 percent from the floor and 57 percent at the charity stripe. Ongenda never made a three pointer in college.
- Marcio Santos, 6’9, 253, Brazil: The 20 year old averaged eight points, four rebounds, and nearly a block per game over the course of the 2022-23 NBB Season. Santos will likely go undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft.
- Bilal Coulibaly, 6’7, 190 pounds, Mets92: A teammate of Victor Wembanyama’s, Bilal Coulibaly has a 7’3 wingspan at 18 years old helping Wembanyama reach the Finals before eventually falling. Due to the length of his season, Coulibaly was not at the NBA Combine and has very little time for private workouts. Though, we do know Sam Presti traveled overseas to see Coulibaly play just before the draft.
- Jordan Walsh, 6’7, 205, Arkansas: Sources have informed me that Jordan Walsh conducted a pre-draft workout “prior to the Thunder’s trade with Denver” and that Walsh will not last until pick 50. To grab Walsh, OKC will need to trade back up into the second round. However, Walsh has really impressed in the pre-draft process with his shooting ability.
- Hunter Maldonado, 6’7, 200, Wyoming: Maldonado has been in college since 2017-18, now he is out of eligibility and working out for the OKC Thunder. A year ago, Maldonado shot 34 percent from three point land, 48 percent from the floor, and averaged 15 points per game. The Cowboy is a prime undrafted free agent target with the addition of a third two-way slot.
Just to remind you, bookmark this link and check back daily for updates to the workout tracker as we get them. Also, stay on the lookout on Twitter.