By Michael Kinney
Cason Wallace has vast experience with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Even though he has never been in the NBA or worn a Thunder jersey, the 19-year-old Dallas (Tx.) native knows all about how the franchise plays from his days and nights playing video games.
So, when Wallace heard his name called Thursday night during the NBA draft, the former University of Kentucky standout knew it had to be karma.
“It’s something I definitely dreamed about. It’s crazy because this is one of the teams, I played with on NBA 2K,” Wallace said. “This was my go-to team.”
Despite having a roster that is heavy with guards, Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President Sam Presti could not pass on grabbing Wallace in 2023 NBA draft, which was held June 22.
Wallace had initially been drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 10 pick in the first round. However, a trade to Oklahoma City had already been in the works.
So when the Thunder chose Duke’s Dereck Lively II, he was automatically sent to the Mavs for Wallace.
“I appreciate all the hard things about playing basketball – things that a lot of people just don’t want to do or have to push themselves to do – he does naturally,” Presti said. “I’m not sure where that comes from, but he’s got a lot of just natural instincts that really just serve the values of the game.”
At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Wallace has the type of game that made him a standout on the gridiron and hardwood growing up. But it was his basketball IQ that impressed Thunder Director of Identification and Intelligence Acie Law.
“The biggest thing is the maturity to his game,” said Law. “He’s a highly intelligent player. He’s an extremely tough player. He’s competitive. Those are the things that you look for.”
In his one year with the Wildcats Wallace averaged 11.7 points and 4.3 assists with a 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.
Presti said Wallace is the kind of player who does all the things that it takes to be good that a lot of people don’t like to do. Wallace agrees with that sentiment wholeheartedly.
“I definitely agree with that statement,” Wallace said. “It’s a do anything to win mindset, I’d say not being stuck in your way, knowing how you fit into an organization is pretty big. “No matter where I’m at or what’s going on, I’m going to play my best ball no matter. If they want something flashy, that’s not me. Don’t invite me. I’m just going to be who I am and play my best ball no matter what.
Presti added 6-foot-6, 235-pound Keyontae Johnson in the second round. The 23-year-old, who grew up in Norfolk, Va., was teammates with current Thunder guard Tre Mann at the University of Florida.
Johnson earned All-SEC honors as a freshman with the Gators but as a sophomore in December of 2020, he collapsed on the floor during a game against Florida State after suffering a cardiac incident and was placed in a medically induced coma for three days before eventually awakening and speaking again.
In 2022, he was cleared to play, transferred to Kansas State and went back to work by earning All-Big 12 honors. He started all 36 games and averaged 17.4 points on 51.6 percent shooting, including 40.5 percent from three-point range.
When then Thunder brought their draft picks to town Saturday for their introductory press conference. Johnson talked about just how meaningful it was to be there after what he had been through.
“This moment is definitely special for me,” Johnson said. “I have my family here and knowing that two, three years ago I wasn’t able to play after my incident. So, for me to keep going, and fulfill my dream, it is definitely a special experience.”
Along with their two draft picks, the Thunder also picked up a couple of free agents after the draft. That includes former University of Oklahoma center Tanner Groves.
All of the new team members will get their first action in an Oklahoma City uniform this month at the NBA Summer League in Salt Lake City (UT.). It will take place will take place July 3-6 at the Utah Jazz’s home arena.
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