Still a ball of clay, Mark Daigneault has liked what he’s seen in Brooks Barnhizer from a pure heart and hustle standpoint. The Oklahoma City Thunder was infatuated with his endless motor when they took him with the No. 44 pick of the 2025 NBA draft — knowing he’d likely need time to carve out a role.

It’s been a productive preseason for Barnhizer. Through four games, Barnhizer turned in his best performance yet. He tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds in a 116-101 preseason loss to the Indiana Pacers.

When Barnhizer joined the Thunder, little was known about the 23-year-old. He spent four college seasons at Northwestern. Not exactly a college basketball powerhouse. Some quick research showed him to be an all-hustle player who needed to start from the ground up with his jumper.

So far, that’s been the case. Daigneault has liked what he’s seen from Barnhizer. He will likely spend most of his rookie season on the G League’s OKC Blue as a two-way player. If he’s ever going to become a strong enough defender to compensate for the lack of outside shot, he has the best set of teachers.

Barnhizer has leaned on Alex Caruso and Lu Dort. The two household names had similar starts to their NBA careers as two-way rookies. They went undrafted but have developed into some of the best perimeter defenders in the league. They helped the Thunder capture an NBA championship.

“AC has been great to me too, as well. I remember we played Charlotte first time here in Oklahoma City. There was a play where I kinda got lost watching the backside,” Barnhizer said. “I just went up to him and Lu and asked them, ‘What should I be looking for on these plays?’ and I was able to break it down.”

Sticking with Caruso and Dort is Barnhizer’s best bet. Those are the NBA pathways he can follow if everything goes his way. Of course, he must become a dependable outside shooter. That’ll be his swing skill that makes or breaks his professional aspirations.

“There was a foul yesterday. I think a charge where I actually made the adjustment and stole the ball, but they called the play dead,” Barnhizer said. “It was cool putting it together and second nature.”

It’s been good to see Barnhizer take advantage of the preseason. The next step is to do the same in the G League. And when his number is called in the 2025-26 regular season, he’ll hopefully be more refined as a defender while keeping his nonstop energy level.