Much like its championship-winning counterpart, the OKC Thunder's Summer League team has a family-focused culture.
LAS VEGAS — Chris Youngblood showed he could handle the weight of the moment.
In what marked his first Summer League start, the undrafted guard erupted for 19 points to help OKC earn a 90-81 win over Brooklyn on Thursday. And as Youngblood spoke to ESPN's Dave McMenamin after the victory, his teammates placed even more weight on his shoulders.
It came in the form of a pile of towels, which they draped over Youngblood in a Nick-Gallo-like fashion. But the 23-year-old guard aced that test as well, as he continued to answer questions with a smile on his face.
Or maybe it wasn't a test. Maybe it was an initiation. An introduction to a championship-winning organization that has developed its culture as successfully as it has developed its talent.
"This is why I wanted to come here, whether I got drafted or not," Youngblood said as his teammates surrounded him in support. "You see this brotherhood. It's all about family."
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That family-focused atmosphere is seen when watching the actual OKC team. The one that just beat the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game NBA Finals series to secure the franchise's first-ever championship.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the best players on the planet. He earned MVP honors in both the regular season and the Finals during OKC's title run, and yet the humble hooper doesn't act like the world of Thunder basketball revolves around him.
There's plenty of space for his co-star, Jalen Williams, to flourish. He received All-NBA third team and All-Defensive second team selections last season.
There's room for everyone else to grow, too. Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins went from two-way players to established pros. Isaiah Joe and Kenrich Williams went from being discarded by their previous team to becoming aces up OKC's sleeve off the bench. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein went from offseason additions to postseason multipliers, increasing their impact tenfold.
Each player is progressing on his own path. And after every win, those trails converge for a group postgame interview to celebrate the night's top performer.
That tradition has carried over to the Summer League squad, which is learning about Thunder culture as quickly as it's learning plays.
"We're trying to give them as much as everyone can take," OKC Summer League head coach Connor Johnson said. "I think they're doing a good job absorbing it. I also think we're lucky that, for a Summer League team that's just getting together, it's a pretty cohesive group."
OKC doesn't play that cohesion up for the camera during postgame interviews. It can be seen during the contest as well.
When Ajay Mitchell sank an and-one layup in the first quarter against Brooklyn, the entire Thunder bench rose to its feet in celebration. That included Thomas Sorber, who OKC selected with the 15th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Sorber isn't playing in Summer League as he continues to recover from a turf toe injury he suffered on Feb. 15. And yet he still stood ten toes down in support of his new teammates.
"One thing we've been encouraged by is the bench," Johnson said. "When guys aren't playing and people are playing well, they're standing up and they're yelling. They're cheering, from the injured guys to the guys that we have (available). I think they're doing a good job with that. It makes it a fun environment for everybody."
Of course, the goal isn't to just have fun. Cue the clip of Draymond Green, who barks at officials every night but has a problem when OKC's players bark at each other.
But that fun can fuel winning, which OKC proved last season.
In a league where physical talent is abundant, mental strength separates the greats. When others unravel after mistakes, the Thunder's players remain intact thanks to their tight-knit support system.
So, piling on towels doesn't really add weight. It actually takes it off.
"It's amazing," rookie forward Brooks Barnhizer said. "If you're being aggressive and being you and making mistakes, (the team) is gonna live with that every time. I think the support from the teammates and the support from the staff is unmatched. It's just been such a great experience."
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] 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.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder emphasizes 'family' culture, even in NBA Summer League
Category: Basketball
