2022 NBA Draft

Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams spoke with the media during introductory press conference.

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Recap: 2022 Thunder Draft Class Press Conference

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Names and Numbers

Take a unique look at the Thunder's 2022 NBA Draft night.

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Behind the Scenes: Draft Night

By Nick Gallo | Broadcast Reporter and Digital Editor | okcthunder.com

An extra cell phone sat by itself at Chet Holmgren’s table inside Barclays Center just a few steps away from the NBA Draft stage.&nbsp;

When Holmgren’s name was called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at number two overall, the 7-foot freshman out of Gonzaga popped up out of his chair. He hugged his parents, Dave Holmgren and Sarah Harris, then strode up the stairs to don his new Thunder hat, hug Silver and bask in his moment.&nbsp;

“A thousand emotions, all good ones,” said Holmgren, who hopes to bring the shot blocking prowess, versatility and shooting that he displayed in college and mesh it with the Thunder’s established core.

“I have so much gratitude, not only for my parents, but my coaches, friends and family along the way,” said Holmgren. “So for this to finally pay off like this, it’s amazing.”

After getting off the stage, he strolled down media row to hop on a variety of interviews, including one with former NBA star Dennis Scott, where Holmgren showed off his all-black draft outfit, complemented with a slick watch and a dazzling chain, and as he mentioned to anyone and everyone, the perfect hat to match – the one with OKC’s letters on it.

It was nearly 30 minutes after being drafted that Holmgren realized that he was so excited to become a member of the Thunder that he forgot his phone, leaving it to vibrate relentlessly at his table. Finally, the phone started its journey back to Holmgren, buzzing with calls, including one from former high school teammate, fellow Gonzaga Bulldog and current Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs. Passing ESPN’s stage, the other 23 tables where draftees sat with their families and even Lu Dort, Holmgren’s new Thunder teammate who was in the stands as a spectator, the phone returned its rightful owner with a mission – to make two calls.

Eschewing the incoming alerts, Holmgren snagged his phone back with his 7-foot-6 wingspan and dialed Thunder General Manager Sam Presti and Head Coach Mark Daigneault, creating the official beginning to what all parties hope to be a fruitful developmental and competitive journey. After the calls concluded, Holmgren continued his circuit across various press conferences and social media stations, including a one-on-one interview with okcthunder.com and a selfie video for Thunder fans on @okcthunder social channels.

“Super rowdy fans that are die hard for their organization and I’m proud to represent them,” Holmgren said of the Oklahoma City faithful.

Minutes later, another new Thunder player was breezing through the back hallways of Barclays Center, with his flowing hair propping up his own Thunder hat as he hopped on the phone with Presti and Daigneault. It was Jalen Williams, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooting forward out of Santa Clara. With a pair of cross earrings suspended beside his cheekbones to frame his smiling face, Williams cordially answered every question from reporters about going 12th&nbsp;overall in the NBA Draft and joining Holmgren in Oklahoma City.

The two squared off against one another twice last season in the West Coast Conference, and while the unique Holmgren drew eyeballs everywhere he went as a freshman, Williams consistently honed his craft over three years, propelling into a lottery candidate as a junior. When his named was called by Silver he sat motionless for just a moment and let the emotion wash over him before he hugged his mother and father.

“It’s surreal. I don’t even remember the last time I cried, so to cry tears of joy – that’s a new experience for me in its own,” said Williams, whose intricate handshake routine with his brother Cody was nearly foiled by the swelling tears.

“I’m super excited,” Williams added. “(The Thunder) have a historic background. They’ve had a lot of good players come in and a lot of good teams. I’m excited to be a part of this upbringing they have going on.”

The player selected just before Williams, Ousmane Dieng, was walking around the media circuit around the same time, but was wearing a New York Knicks hat. Rumors began to circulate online, however, that the Thunder jumped in and made a trade with the Knicks for the 19-year-old Dieng, a 6-10 French forward who played for the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL last season. Dieng was discreetly derailed from his obligations by NBA staff and dropped off in a green room, getting the chance to relax and cool off for a bit until the trade could be officially announced and he could swap into a Thunder hat.

While Dieng patiently waited in the secluded room on the opposite side of the event level from the post-draft party where players and families congratulated one another, a couple strode down the empty hallway right outside. It was Holmgren’s parents, Dave and Sarah, quietly walking hand in hand as they digested the reality that their son was really, truly the number two pick in the NBA Draft.

The Holmgren family’s night was coming to a close, as was Jalen Williams’, but just minutes before the Thunder selected a different Williams – Jaylin, out of Arkansas – with the 34th&nbsp;selection, Dieng was finally able to mimic his fellow rookie teammates and make his first pair of calls out to Oklahoma City. The trade had officially gone through, so Dieng was able to proudly position his Thunder hat atop his dangling hair and speak freely about starting his Thunder journey.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Dieng. “I’m just really proud of what I’m doing right now, but it’s just the beginning. We need to get to work.”

At last, with every question answered and call made, Dieng could do what Holmgren did right from the start – put his phone down and enjoy the night.

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Behind the Scenes with OKC’s 3 First Round Picks

By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com

The Thunder emerged from the 2022 NBA Draft with a total of four new additions into the organization: Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams. The four new faces join a group of returning Thunder players who have carved out significant time learning, growing and developing together as a unit – even continuing that hard work and progression throughout the offseason. Those shared experiences, scars and lessons over time generated valuable continuity for the team that OKC’s four newcomers to easily fold into and ultimately sustain.&nbsp;

“This is, I think, the first time we can honestly say that we're going to have some continuity and we're going to continue to layer on to that. That's key to sustainability, which is obviously our goal over the course of time,” said Thunder general manager and executive vice president Sam Presti.&nbsp;

“I do think that the improvement from our team is going to come from the existing players. I think the group that we're bringing [from this draft] is going to come in and learn what it means to be a Thunder player. I'm extremely confident that those guys are going to be excellent in that fashion.”

With the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Thunder selected 7-footer Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga. The 19-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game in his season with the Bulldogs while also garnering West Coast Conference (WCC) Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. The Minnesota native made his mark as an elite prospect thanks to his unique perimeter skillset for a player at his height with a 7-foot-6 wingspan.&nbsp;

“With Chet, the size that you have, the ball handling, the passing, the decision making at that size you don't see too often,” said Thunder vice president of basketball operations Will Dawkins. “He’s also a two-way player and can protect them on defense. He's a guy who's going to come in here and compete.”

The Thunder also acquired the No. 11 pick from the Knicks in exchange for multiple future first round picks.&nbsp;With the pick, the Thunder selected 6-foot-10 forward Ousmane Dieng out of Australia’s NBL. The 19-year-old was the first European player to join the NBL’s Next Star program that is responsible for NBA products such as OKC’s Josh Giddey. In his season with the NBL’s New Zealand Breakers, Dieng registered 8.9 points per game, 3.2 rebounds while shooting 51-perent from the field.&nbsp;

Presti and the organization had eyes on Dieng when he was just 16 years old, witnessing his growth to 6-foot-10 while retaining his ball handling, passing and shooting ability. Even still, what stood out to the Thunder was his disposition as he moved from his home country of France to play against grown men in the NBL at just 19-years-old.

“We know a lot of people that have played with him over the course of time and the way they speak about him as a person. Especially as a as a 19-year-old player,” said Presti. “Just his work ethic and the way he responded; it's not going to get easier. He's going to have to keep battling, but he does have a unique set of skills, and I think he's got a good disposition.”

With its No. 12 pick, the Thunder selected Jalen Williams out of Santa Clara. The 21-year-old Arizona native averaged 18 points per game during the 2021-22 season which ranked second among all players in the WCC. Williams also pulled down four rebounds and dished out four assists per game while shooting 51-percent from the field during his junior campaign.&nbsp;

“He's just a really natural basketball player,” said Presti. “I think he can play pretty much anywhere on the floor. He's a real thoughtful player. I think he really understands what's going on on the floor and he can play with or without the ball.”

At No. 34, the Thunder selected 6-foot-10 forward Jaylin Williams out of Arkansas. The sophomore posted 10.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest during the 2021-22 season. Arkansas’ Williams garnered a 2021-22 All-Defensive Team selection for his efforts snatching away 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest with the Razorbacks.

When it comes to differentiating between Santa Clara’s Williams and Arkansas’ Williams, Presti told the media on draft night, “that’s something for tomorrow.”

Dawkins added, “Someone is going to get a nickname really quickly. That's my guess.”

For the Thunder, there are three steps in the player acquisition process. The first step is finding out where you will be selecting. The second is making the selection, which is what took place&nbsp;Thursday night&nbsp;in Brooklyn. The final step is developing the players and creating an environment for their success. With the draft now in the rearview, stages one and two have been completed, only one step remains in the formula –&nbsp;and it’s the most extensive.

“Obviously the third stage is the longest stage, and that's the stage that we're going to embark on tomorrow,” said Presti. “When you think about the strides that Josh Giddey made from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, same with Tre [Mann] and Jeremiah [Robinson-Earl] and [Aaron] Wiggins, that's the same process that we're going to embark on with these four individuals.”

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Thunder Welcomes 2022 Draft Class

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Photos: 2022 NBA Draft

Watch full post-draft news conference featuring GM Sam Presti and VP of Basketball Operations Will Dawkins.

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Sam Presti Post-Draft Press Conference

Chet Holmgren talks with Nick Gallo about his draft experience and the opportunity ahead.

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1-on-1 with Chet Holmgren

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