Thomas Sorber, Brooks Barnhizer talk about first impressions of OKC Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder introduced 2025 NBA Draft picks Thomas Sorber and Brooks Barnhizer on Saturday at the First Americans Museum.
The OKC Thunder welcomed two rookies to its NBA championship roster on Saturday.
OKC held an introductory press conference for Thomas Sorber and Brooks Barnhizer. The Thunder selected Sorber with the No. 15 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, and it selected Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick on Thursday.
Here’s what each OKC draftee had to say, along with executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti.
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The 2025 NBA Finals was a seven-game slugfest between the Thunder and Indiana Pacers.
Both teams fought for their first-ever NBA title, and both teams embraced the bruising nature of the back-and-forth battle. OKC ultimately emerged victorious, and it’s now adding two rookies who are equally willing to go to war.
“It’s something that Thomas and I were talking about earlier,” Barnhizer said. “Just how physical that series was and the kind of kids that we are. The things that we’re able to bring to that culture is just really exciting. I’m definitely thrilled to end up in this position, for sure.”
Barnhizer is as tough as they come. He even lost his two front teeth twice last season at Northwestern but didn’t let that stop him from suiting up with a smile.
Sorber is also a physical big man. He absorbs contact to his chest when opponents try to back him down, and he puffs it out after he swats their shot.
Sorber and Barnhizer should fit right into OKC’s culture. It’s a championship culture with high standards, but the two rookies are up for the challenge.
“I want to say there’s no pressure,” Sorber said. “Just having the mentality to come in and try to do what those guys do. I’m just gonna come in and play hard and give them all that I have.”
Sam Presti often attends a game to watch a prospect who’s on his radar. Sometimes, he stumbles upon a new one in the process.
That’s what happened last year, when Presti went to scout an unnamed player. Barnhizer happened to be playing in that game, and it didn’t take long for him to stand out.
“I had no idea who he was, honestly,” Presti said of Barnhizer. “Within the game, I found myself watching him more than the person I was supposed to be watching. We put his name down and made sure that we kept tabs on him from that point on. We’re very fortunate to have him in the program.”
Barnhizer doesn’t deliver many mixtape-level moments such as high-flying dunks or flashy ball handling moves. But he still commands attention when he plays.
Barnhizer is a fiery competitor. He pesters opponents on the perimeter with his ball pressure. He treats bruises like a badge of honor. And he served as the glue for Northwestern with an unmatched level of stick-to-itiveness.
Barnhizer now joins an OKC team that boasts stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. They’ll command most of the spotlight, but Barnhizer is prepared to shine in his role.
“We’re just trying to add to (OKC) any way we can and any way we’re told,” Barnhizer said of himself and Sorber. “We’re in a great spot. We’ve just got to take advantage of it and attack it every day.”
It didn’t take long for Sorber’s phone to start lighting up after he was drafted on Wednesday.
Within the seemingly-endless sea of messages were texts from a few OKC players, who welcomed Sorber to the organization.
“They were just congratulating me and just being excited, (saying) they can’t wait to work with me,” Sorber said. “I was just giving them the same energy back. I just can’t wait to work with them and see them in person.”
Sorber can learn a lot from his new teammates.
If you take a close look, you can see shades of Isaiah Hartenstein in Sorber’s game. Both players are hard-nosed centers who protect the rim, rebound and pass well.
Sorber will also have to improve his shooting at the next level, and he’ll be around multiple bigs who can give him some pointers. Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams shot 37.9% and 39.9% from deep, respectively, last season.
“I’m just trying to catch up with those guys and see what I can learn from the older guys,” Sorber said.
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.