The Oklahoma City Thunder have set a standard that few have managed to live up to as far as maximizing the NBA Draft is concerned. Sam Presti has an almost unrivaled collection of successful draft picks, including Kevin Durant, James Harden, Chet Holmgren, Russell Westbrook, and Jalen Williams.
The latest in a long line of Thunder draft choices with remarkable potential has officially arrived at No. 15 overall: Former Georgetown Hoyas center Thomas Sorber.
Sorber has all of the tools to go down as the biggest steal of the 2025 NBA Draft. Standing at 6'9.25" and 263 pounds with a colossal 7'6" wingspan and gigantic 9'1" standing reach, he has all of the physical tools to be a successful traditional big.
Beyond the physical measurements, Sorber has the attributes of a high-level center with the potential to thrive on both ends of the floor.
Sorber proved as much with freshman-year averages of 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 offensive boards, 2.4 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. That well-rounded production is an accurate depiction of how advanced his game is for a player his age.
Moreover, it's a reflection of what Sorber could ultimately become: The perfect complement or even replacement to Isaiah Hartenstein.
Thunder ace 2025 NBA Draft with center Thomas Sorber
Oklahoma City signed Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract to fill the inescapable void at center. He more than delivered during his first season, helping Chet Holmgren to provide invaluable interior balance in crucial postseason series.
That includes the second-round battle with the Denver Nuggets, during which Hartenstein and Holmgren combined to contain three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Hartenstein has a club option for the 2026-27 season, however, that coincides with when the Thunder's lucrative extensions could kick in. As such, it's within the realm of possibility that Oklahoma City could cut ties with the big man ahead of that campaign—or at least make it his last with the team.
Prior to the 2025 NBA Draft, the Thunder would've been woefully unprepared to replace the interior stalwart's presence. Thankfully, Sorber has altered their reality.
Sorber is a defensive playmaker who redirect shots, creates turnovers, and provide value on the glass. Offensively, he has the potential to be a tremendous post player, displaying the instincts and basic skill level to finish over either shoulder.
In the meantime, Sorber has an intriguing ability to read the pace of a game and find holes in an opposing defense through which he can make his mark.
It's likely that Sorber will be brought along slowly during his rookie season, but Oklahoma City's track record of developing promising prospects into starting-caliber players offers reason for immediate intrigue. The same can be said for his defensive instincts on a team that aspires to lock opponents down.
The rich have only gotten richer, and the NBA can only watch and weep as the 2024-25 champion Thunder add the steal of the draft.