In the hours leading up to OKC’s game against Washington on Oct. 30, the south tunnel of Paycom Center turned into a runway.
It’s the entry location for the Thunder‘s players, who are as fashion forward as any in the NBA. As much as defense is OKC’s brand, so is Chrome Hearts, Balenciaga and Gallery Dept. All of that was on display when the team filed in.
But Thomas Sorber wore something different. The 6-foot-10 center strutted down the tunnel in what must’ve been an extra-large hotdog costume, complete with a squiggly streak of mustard. Thank Jalen Williams, who bought costumes for OKC’s rookies a few days prior and made the group wear them.
“That was crazy,” Chris Youngblood told The Oklahoman while shaking his head and chuckling, thinking of the inflatable tube man costume he wore. “It wasn’t the best, but we got it out the way.”
But Sorber seemed to enjoy it. The 19-year-old was all smiles, flashing his braces while he walked around. He said he just wished the costume came with ketchup, and he even tried to pull a fit off by rocking a pair of Jordan 12 “Flu Game” sneakers.
That persistent positivity has served Sorber well to start his pro career, which has been hit with numerous setbacks. After undergoing surgery for a turf toe injury on Feb. 26, the 15th pick in the 2025 draft spent this past summer rehabbing and was nearing a return. But he then suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a workout on Sept. 4, ending his season before it began.
And yet you won’t see Sorber sulking as he watches OKC’s games from the row behind its bench. You’ll only see him smiling, cheering on a team that has already accepted him as one of its own.
“He’s one of the guys,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. “He’s done a great job with the guys. They really like him, and you can tell he’s like in the club.”
If OKC is a club, Jaylin Williams is the commissioner of camaraderie. The governor of good vibes.
The only thing larger than his 6-foot-9, 240-pound build is his personality. He’s a fun-loving forward who even the biggest Thunder-detesting individual would struggle to dislike. And it didn’t take long for Williams to realize Sorber was club material.
When OKC selected Sorber on draft night, Williams did some research on his new teammate. One of the first things he saw was Sorber’s TikTok account, where the Georgetown alum dances to everything from “My Dawg” by Lil Baby to “Deuces” by Chris Brown.
For Williams, an avid TikToker himself, it was music to his ears.
“I saw one of his TikToks right after we drafted him, and I knew he was a funnier dude,” Williams told The Oklahoman. “Him just being around the team, he fit right into what our team chemistry already was. He’s just a young and loud character who’s excited to be in the NBA.”
Even Sorber’s injury hasn’t been able to keep him on the sideline.
The talented shot blocker could still be seen hovering around the rim before OKC’s home win over Sacramento on Oct. 28, only he was wearing an Alo track suit and Nike P-6000 running shoes instead of game attire. He just wanted to chat with the ball boys while watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go through his shooting routine.
Sorber then noticed a cluster of fans who’d gathered in the row behind him. And despite recently having surgery on his knee, he was quick to walk over and talk to them as well. Typical stuff from the rookie, whose social skills are as strong as his basketball skills.
“I love Thomas,” Thunder center Branden Carlson told The Oklahoman. “He’s an extrovert. He’s definitely that. He’s able to insert himself around anyone. He feels at home and comfortable wherever he is. It’s easy for him.”
Carlson is a floor-spacing center, capable of providing an offensive boost when his number is called.
But Sorber is literally the defensive voice on his shoulder. He sits directly behind Carlson during OKC’s home games and constantly leans forward to share what he sees.
That’s one example of their strong relationship, which Carlson says was an “instant connection” dating back to their time together at NBA Summer League.
“I think a lot of things he sees is defensively,” Carlson said. “I think he’s a very defensive-minded player where he’s like, ‘Hey, we’ve got to get our chest on this guy here and make these plays there.’ For someone who’s only in a position right now to watch, he has great input. And for his age, too.”
Sorber has been able to be around the team despite also needing to set time aside for his rehab.
Finding that balance can be tricky, although OKC has experience handling similar situations. Three of its last five first-round selections have missed their entire first season due to injuries.
It makes the most sense for Sorber to stay behind and focus on his recovery process when the Thunder hits the road. Still, he stays involved by attending home games and participating in film sessions.
“If we have him with the team every minute of the day, then he’d be here until 3 o’clock because he’d have to wait to do all of his work,” Daigneault said. “It’s necessary and practical to have him doing some rehab stuff away from the team, but you also don’t want him to be completely disconnected. We thread a nice needle between team time and also his own track.”
Sorber has maintained a glass-half-full mentality throughout the entire process. And the only reason why it isn’t full is because he’s constantly pouring positivity into those around him.
His teammates. His coaches. The ball boys. The fans. They’ve all felt the presence of Sorber, who hasn’t had to log a minute of game time to do so.
But when Sorber is eventually able to suit up, there’s no doubt he’ll already have some established chemistry. He’s had plenty of runway.
“He fits the energy of the team,” Thunder guard Isaiah Joe told The Oklahoman. “He always has a positive attitude. It’s just all love. He talks to everybody. He greets everybody. He’s got a great spirit. And he’s really hungry to not only be around us in the locker room but out there on the floor with us. It shows great signs.”
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA 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.
Thunder vs. Trail Blazers
TIPOFF: 6 p.m. Sunday at Paycom Center (FanDuel Sports Network)