Rehabbing from thumb surgery, Buddy Boeheim did what a lot of normal folks do during the NBA playoffs — watch the games with their family.

Except in Boeheim’s case, his dad is a college basketball head coach legend. Jim Boeheim was the Syracuse head coach from 1976 to 2023. An unbelievable span that never happens at any level of basketball, much less at a prestigious school with a rich history. He led the Orange to a 2003 national championship.

Any Syracuse legend you can think of likely played under Boeheim. From Carmelo Anthony to Derrick Coleman to Wesley Johnson to Jonny Flynn. They were a college basketball powerhouse that was always in March Madness for decades.

As the G League’s OKC Blue hosts 2025-26 Media Day, Boeheim is set to enter his second season with the organization. Since he went undrafted in 2022 out of Syracuse, he’s spent time around the NBA-sphere as a two-way and G League player.

Boeheim had his season cut short last year with a thumb injury. He later joined the Indiana Pacers for their 2025 Summer League squad. Now, he’s back in OKC. During the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s playoff run, he had a rooting interest for them to bring home the Larry O’Brien trophy.

But so did his legendary father. What did the two-time Basketball Hall-of-Famer Jim think of OKC’s run to an NBA championship? He was excited to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren step up in a decisive Game 7 win over the Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals.

“He wasn’t surprised. He thinks Shai is the best player. He loves watching Shai play. It’s so effortless with him. He has a ton of respect for Coach Daigneault,” Boeheim said. “How he coaches the team and his adjustments there. Just loved the Hartenstein acquisition. He thought that was a huge pick. He and Caruso obviously. They got it going and were solid throughout the playoffs.”

Since retirement, Boeheim has been out of the spotlight. So it was interesting to hear what he thought from his son’s point of view. Cool to see him have high respect for Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, who started his coaching aspirations at Holy Cross and Florida as a college assistant.

The Blue will rely on Boeheim to be a veteran of the group. He’s been around long enough in the NBA and G League to know what to expect. He’s also one of their better outside shooters. He looks forward to building a relationship with the new Blue head coach, Daniel Dixon.

Buddy Boeheim said he and his dad watched OKC’s playoff run

Asked him what Syracuse legend Jim Boeheim thought of it:

“He wasn’t surprised. He thinks Shai is the best player. He loves watching Shai play. It’s so effortless for him. He has a ton of respect for coach Daigneault.” pic.twitter.com/9oamR2NoXs

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 3, 2025