The Oklahoma City Thunder, yeah, *those guys*, have developed their team over the decades through the NBA draft, finding special success ever since their founding as our own Seattle SuperSonics. This franchise has grabbed a ton of top players, either directly drafted or acquired through big-time trades on draft day.
Think about it: they’ve picked up not just star players, but a whole host of notable alumni every single offseason. They cast a wide net, pulling talent from prestigious programs and smaller institutions alike, consistently getting high-caliber players. But when you zero in on their history with Louisiana Tech, you find two picks with wildly different outcomes that tell a fascinating story about the draft.
Mike Green: A Top-5 Sonics Pick That Delivered
Let’s rewind to 1973. The franchise was ours, the Seattle SuperSonics, and we were making big moves. They drafted center Mike Green in the 1st round, 4th pick overall. Yeah, a top-five talent straight out of Louisiana Tech after he put in four seasons there. This guy was a real prospect.
And Green delivered, playing two seasons with the Sonics. He was a direct selection, a high pick, and he actually suited up and contributed. This is the kind of immediate impact you expect from a player taken so high, especially for a franchise built on finding success through the draft from its very beginnings in our Emerald City.
Magnum Rolle: The Louisiana Tech Pick That Never Played a Game
Now, fast forward to the 2010 NBA Draft. The team had long since moved on, but the Thunder went back to the Louisiana Tech well, picking forward Magnum Rolle in the 2nd round, 51st overall. Rolle had also played two seasons at Louisiana Tech, just like Green had put in his time.
But here’s where the story takes a wild turn, Seattle. Magnum Rolle, a guy the franchise drafted, did not make the team. Imagine that! A drafted player, an actual selection, and he never even saw the court for them. It just shows you how much of a gamble the NBA draft can be, even for an organization known for its drafting prowess. One pick makes it, the other doesn’t even suit up.
It’s a stark reminder that while the franchise boasts a history of draft success, pulling talent from all over, not every pick is a slam dunk. This tale of two Louisiana Tech draftees highlights the extreme highs and lows inherent in team building through the draft, a process that started way back when they were our Seattle SuperSonics.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply