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OKLAHOMA CITY, Monday, June 5, 2023 – deadCenter Film Festival’s premiere of OKC Thunder Films’ latest project, STEPS, has been set for 7 p.m. Saturday, June 10 at Scissortail Park in downtown Oklahoma City. The short film kicks off an evening of family fun and is free and open to the public.

“STEPS” posters will be displayed around downtown this week as OKC Thunder Films marks the sixth consecutive year to partner with deadCenter and debut a film at its annual festival.

“STEPS” provides an introspective view of the journey of Derek Loccident, a former University of Central Oklahoma and Westmoore High School football player whose left foot was severed in a train accident in 2018.&nbsp;Rather than allow the tragedy to define or discourage him, Loccident took on the challenge of becoming a disabled track athlete needing a prosthetic blade as he trains in California focused on representing the United States in the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.&nbsp;A story of resilience presented entirely in his own words and perspectives, the film allows Derek to reflect on the adversity he has faced and how it has impacted his spirit for living and succeeding at an elite level of athletic performance. In his steps along the way, he also has realized the value of maintaining a simpler life and the importance of making good decisions.

deadCenter Film is an Oklahoma City based nonprofit with statewide, national&nbsp;and&nbsp;international engagement. Locally, deadCenter generates an economic impact of more than $5.5 million through our Festival each year and our free education programs reach more than 3,000 students statewide. The 23rd annual deadCenter film festival is June 8-11, in downtown Oklahoma City. For more information, visit&nbsp;www.deadcenterfilm.org.

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Showtime Set for OKC Thunder Films “STEPS”

OKLAHOMA CITY, May 11, 2023 –&nbsp;The Oklahoma City Thunder will return to Tulsa, Okla. during the 2023 preseason, the team announced today. The Thunder will host the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. inside the BOK Center.

The matchup will be the Thunder’s 14th preseason game in Tulsa.

Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the Oct. 19 Tulsa preseason game can call 405-208-HOOP or visit okcthunder.com.

The Thunder’s entire 2023 preseason schedule will be announced at a later date.

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Thunder Announces Preseason Game in Tulsa

May 5, 2023 - Oklahoma City, OK. In the early morning hours of Sept. 9, 2018, Derek Loccident’s life changed forever, as did his spirit for living, working, and succeeding at an elite level of athletic performance.

Loccident, who played football for Westmoore High School and the University of Central Oklahoma, had his left foot severed in a train accident. Instead of letting it discourage and define him, he accepted the challenge of becoming a disabled track athlete focused on representing the United States at the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Loccident’s story is the subject of “Steps,” the sixth OKCThunder Film to premier at deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City.

“At OKCThunder Films, we not only tell stories of our organization and team, but also present engaging content from within our community,” said Dan Mahoney, OKC Thunder Films co-executive producer. “Derek’s courage, spirit, and self-reflection captured our attention, and we are honored to tell his story.”

The short film, presented entirely in his own words and perspectives, takes the viewer to California, where Loccident is training at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. He hopes to qualify to compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in the 100 and 200 meter dash, and long jump; running and jumping on a prosthetic blade. 

“It’s truly a story of introspection and resilience. Derek not only took on the challenge of continuing in competitive athletics, but he realized how what happened to him changed his approach to life. It permitted him to take steps to live simpler, and make better decisions,” Mahoney said. “His joy for living and competing, reflected in his big smile, make him an inspiration.”

“Steps” will debut Saturday evening, June 10 during a deadCenter Film Festival free, outdoor screening at Scissortail Park in downtown Oklahoma City.

Other OKCThunder Films projects that made their debut at deadCenter include “Mr. Thunder” (2018), “Growing Up George” (2019), “The Everyday Saint” (2020),  “Pause the Game” (2021), and “Seeds of Greenwood” (2022). Several have won regional Emmy Awards, and “Seeds of Greenwood” was screened at the White House and at South by Southwest’s Education Conference.  The complete library of OKCThunder Films is available at okcthunderfilms.com

Click here to view the trailer for “Steps" 

For more information regarding deadCenter Film Festival, visit deadcenterfilm.org.

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OKCThunder Films Explores “Steps” of Oklahoma Disabled Athlete Derek Loccident

OKLAHOMA CITY, Thursday, April 27, 2023 – The Oklahoma City Thunder through its Rolling Thunder Book Bus, presented by American Fidelity, is joining in the festivities to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Month. The book bus distributes free books to students in grades K-5 to inspire them to develop a love for reading. Throughout May, the bus will feature books with AAPI-centric themes and/or authors and is scheduled to make stops across the metro including:

- Timber Creek Elementary in Moore- Central Elementary in Yukon

- Red Oak Elementary, Oklahoma City- Britton Elementary, Oklahoma City

In addition to the book bus, the Thunder is also supporting AAPI celebratory events including the Asian Youth Empowerment Conference presented by the Asian District Cultural Association and the Greater Oklahoma City Asian Chamber of Commerce gala.

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Thunder Book Bus Highlights AAPI Authors, Themes

OKLAHOMA CITY, Monday, April 24, 2023&nbsp;– The Oklahoma City Thunder is offering prep classes for its Thunder Girls and O’City Crew dance teams.

Prep classes are taught by performer alumni, dance choreographers, and the Thunder’s performance team managers. Each hour-long session includes a warmup, dance combination and Q&A.

Thunder Girl prep classes are every Tuesday in May and June. O’City Crew prep classes are every Thursday. Participation is open to anyone over 16 with a signed consent form and cost $15 per class.

For a full list of details and registration, visit&nbsp;okcthunder.com/auditions.

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Thunder Offers Prep Classes for Dance Teams Auditions

OKLAHOMA CITY, Monday, April 10, 2023&nbsp;– The Oklahoma City Thunder has opened registration for its summer youth basketball and coding camps. Tipping off in June, the Thunder will host 12 youth basketball camps and four coding camps statewide.

Thunder Youth Basketball camps, presented by Simple Modern, is offered to children ages 6-14. The camps focus on defined fundamentals: instilling the importance of teamwork, creating a positive learning environment and increasing campers’ self-confidence to encourage hard work, focus and persistence. Campers receive&nbsp;a basketball, water bottle and a ticket&nbsp;to a Thunder game for the 2023-24 season.

Thunder Coding camps, facilitated by iCode and powered by Google, offers hands-on curriculum for youth ages 7-14 with skill development in coding, design, and collaboration within a fun-centric environment. Participants receive a T-shirt, drawstring bag, water bottle and a ticket to a Thunder game for the 2023-24 season.

For registration and more details, visit&nbsp;www.okcthunder.com/summercamps

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Thunder Opens Registration for Youth Basketball and Coding Camps

OKLAHOMA CITY, Tuesday, April 4, 2023 – The Oklahoma City Thunder and Love’s Travel Stops today announced a multi-year expansion of their partnership. The agreement will broaden the placement of the Love’s heart logo patch beyond Thunder jerseys to include youth jerseys for the YMCA Thunder Basketball League. In essence, YMCA youth athletes in Oklahoma will now wear the same jerseys as their favorite team, complete with a Love’s patch. The partnership also maintains existing initiatives, including naming rights of Love’s Loud City and Love’s Kiss Cam, and supports joint community activities between Love’s and the Thunder, a significant priority for both organizations.  

The relationship between Love’s and the Thunder is distinctive among NBA franchises. With the extension, the partnership will reach a longevity of 20 years – nine of which will include the Love’s heart logo on Thunder jerseys. This longevity is uncommon among NBA franchises and their jersey patch partners and even more so in connection with an organization with its headquarters in market.&nbsp;

“The Thunder is honored to extend our partnership with Love’s to fuel the future for our community's young athletes," said Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett. "We have a deep appreciation for the Love family and the Love's organization for their long-standing support of the Thunder and their profound commitment to our city and state."&nbsp;

A Thunder partner since 2008, Love’s is the retail fuel industry leader in highway hospitality. The privately held, family-owned and -operated company was founded by Tom and Judy Love in 1964 when they opened a small filling station in Western Oklahoma. Today, more than 39,000 Love’s team members serve customers at more than 610 locations in 42 states.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Love’s has always prioritized investing in its team and the community, values we share with the Thunder,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “We’re excited to continue our partnership on the court and in serving youth in our home state for years to come.” 

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Teaming Up to Fuel the Future

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Thunder, Love's Enter Multi-Year Partnership Extension

The Thunder and Love’s Travel Stops announced a multi-year expansion of their partnership.

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