Editor’s note: As an annual end-of-season exercise, The Oklahoman publishes a series of report cards on each of the Thunder’s main roster players. Grades will be curved relative to role and expectations. Next up: Cason Wallace.

Cason Wallace had a bit of a sophomore swoon offensively, but his defense went from good to great. Wallace would be the best perimeter defender on, what, two-thirds of NBA teams? Maybe a handful more?

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And yet in Oklahoma City he’s third on his own team! Lu Dort and Alex Caruso are All-Defense guys. Wallace, who won’t turn 22 until November, is well on his way.

The second-year guard played in 68 games, making 43 starts. He averaged 27.6 minutes per game, up from 20.6 as a rookie.

Wallace averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

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Cason Wallace by the numbers

120: Wallace ranked sixth in the NBA in total steals with 120. Thunder teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was second with 131. Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels led the league with 229 steals.

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34.1%: Wallace really struggled on corner 3s. He shot 34.1% from the corners, down from the 47.4% mark he shot as a rookie. Corner 3-pointers accounted for 44% of all the 3-pointers Wallace attempted — a big reason why his overall 3-point percentage plummeted from 41.9% as a rookie to 35.6% as a sophomore.

9.2: Wallace ranks second in win shares (9.2) among 2023 draftees, according to Basketball Reference. Houston guard Amen Thompson (12.3) is first. The Thunder traded up to select Wallace with the No. 10 pick.

Cason Wallace offseason homework

Round out his floor game. Improve as a passer and playmaker off the dribble. Wallace isn’t ready to be a lead ball handler on the second unit, but don’t rule it out as a long-term possibility. And if it doesn’t happen? This version of Wallace provides an awfully high floor.

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Cason Wallace grade: B-

Wallace was a better all-around player in Year 2, but he was shaky in the playoffs (reminding us that he’s only 21). He shot just 32% from 3-point range on 2.7 attempts per game in the postseason. And in the NBA Finals, Wallace had a hard time staying in front of Pacers guard T.J. McConnell. Overall, though, Wallace’s arrow is pointing up entering Year 3.

More: Thunder exits NBA Summer League with ‘a lot of positives’ after semifinal loss vs Hornets

Thunder report card schedule

In his championship parade address, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt announced that Thunder chairman Clay Bennett, general manager Sam Presti, coach Mark Daigneault and every Thunder player would be honored with their own official day in Oklahoma City.

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We’re following Holt’s schedule, publishing each player’s report card on their respective day.

July 23: Isaiah Hartenstein

July 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cason Wallace report card: Thunder guard’s defense improved in Year 2