Over the last two NBA Drafts, the Oklahoma City Thunder are believed to have come away with two true steals in the first round with the likes of Nikola Topic at 12 overall in 2024 and Thomas Sorber at 14 in 2025.
However, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report just laid down the case for Oklahoma City potentially having come away with one of the biggest steals of this past June's festivities as a whole in the likes of Brooks Barnhizer.
Thunder believed to have yet another NBA Draft steal in Brooks Barnhizer
Though regular season action has yet to come underway, the seasoned writer recently was seen discussing players that he believes have "outperformed their billing to this point," and, among the list of first-round selected talents was the 44 overall selection in Barnhizer, the lone second-rounder mentioned.
To Hughes, the Northwestern product's top-notch basketball IQ and "relentless defensive intensity" have been on full display throughout both Summer League and during the preseason thus far, where he finds himself posting solid all-around averages of 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 57.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc through four games played.
As should already be recognized by Thunder fans, the organization landing a promising young prospect that every other team seemingly overlooked is far from a first-time happening.
In fact, it's become somewhat of a common occurrence.
Throughout Sam Presti's tenure as GM out in Oklahoma City, there have been a bevy of noteworthy names that have been snatched up either beyond the 30-overall pick in the draft or as an undrafted free agent.
From Lu Dort (went unselected in 2019) and Aaron Wiggins (55 overall pick back in 2021) to, more recently, Ajay Mitchell (38 overall pick back in 2024), the Thunder have proven to be quite an enviable bunch when it comes to unearthing diamonds in the rough.
Now, as we approach the 2025-26 campaign, Hughes seems to believe they may have managed to add yet another hidden gem to their collection in Barnhizer, as he's already showing signs of being capable of contributing to a "winning operation on both ends."
Though it may take some time for the youngster to show his two-way worth and overall potential in meaningful action, the fact that he's remotely showing the kind of upside he has is "a shocking result," to Hughes, especially when considering he's on a two-way contract and was selected roughly halfway through round two.