Thunder rookies introduced as roster undergoes major changes
The Oklahoma City Thunder revealed their newest rookies after trading Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Pistons.
SHAPE THE STATE. AT SIX ON KOCO FIVE, NEWS. THIS IS ALWAYS EXCITING. THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER TODAY INTRODUCING OUR THREE NEW ROOKIES TO THE CITY, BUT WE CAN’T IGNORE THAT. IT CAME ON THE SAME DAY THAT THE TEAM AND FANS SAY GOODBYE TO ISAIAH JOE. I KNOW SAYING GOODBYE IS HARD. KOCO SPORTS ANCHOR TESSA TERRELL JOINING US NOW, TESSA. TODAY DEFINITELY DOES COME WITH SOME MIXED EMOTIONS. YEAH IT’S A BIG DAY FOR THE OKC THUNDER. IT’S THE OFF SEASON. BUT BIG CHANGES ARE COMING. TWO OF THOSE CHANGES TRADING AARON WIGGINS AND ISAIAH JOE AS OF TODAY. BUT THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ARE WELCOMING HOME THREE ROOKIES AFTER THE NBA DRAFT. ONE OF THOSE PICKS ORTEGA AWAY. HE WAS INITIALLY SELECTED BY THE HEAT WITH THE NUMBER 41 OVERALL PICK IN THE DRAFT, AND HIS RIGHTS WERE TRADED TO THE THUNDER. AWAY WAS DRAFTED FROM KENTUCKY, HAVING PLAYED THERE THE LAST TWO SEASONS, BUT BEFORE PLAYING THERE, HE STARTED HIS COLLEGE CAREER AT OSU. HERE’S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT COMING BACK TO OKLAHOMA. YEAH, I’M ALREADY SUPER FAMILIAR WITH OKC, OBVIOUSLY, NORMAN NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE. SO IT’S REALLY JUST A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT. I KNOW YOU KNOW THE ATMOSPHERE YOU KNOW IS ALL ALL BASKETBALL REALLY BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT YOU KNOW OKC YOU KNOW THEY LIVE AND DIE YOU KNOW BASKETBALL. SO I’M KIND OF USED TO IT ALREADY. AND YOU KNOW I’M EXCITED TO BE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT. I GOT SOME GOOD PRACTICE MY FIRST TWO YEARS AND THEN WENT TO ANOTHER SCHOOL WHERE YOU KNOW THEY ALSO LIVE AND DIE BASKETBALL AND BREATHE IT. SO, YOU KNOW, IT WAS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I’M EXCITED AND USED TO AT KENTUCKY, OH, AVERAGED ABOUT 18 POINTS, 4.8 REBOUNDS AND 2.7 ASSISTS. IT’S GOING TO BE INTERESTING. INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT
Thunder rookies introduced as roster undergoes major changes
The Oklahoma City Thunder revealed their newest rookies after trading Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Pistons.
Updated: 5:23 PM CDT Jun 26, 2026
The Oklahoma City Thunder are making big changes to their roster, including trading Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons. On Friday, the Thunder introduced their newest rookies, Aday Mara, Bennet Stirtz, and Otega Oweh. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti shared his thoughts on their first pick in the draft, Adye Mara. WATCH FULL: Thunder introduce 3 new players following NBA Draft”It’s definitely going to be interesting to see where these rookies fit into the roster that is already loaded with talent,” Presti said.Watch the video above to hear about the big changes with the Thunder.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
OKLAHOMA CITY —
The Oklahoma City Thunder are making big changes to their roster, including trading Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons.
On Friday, the Thunder introduced their newest rookies, Aday Mara, Bennet Stirtz, and Otega Oweh.
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti shared his thoughts on their first pick in the draft, Adye Mara.
WATCH FULL: Thunder introduce 3 new players following NBA Draft
“It’s definitely going to be interesting to see where these rookies fit into the roster that is already loaded with talent,” Presti said.
Watch the video above to hear about the big changes with the Thunder.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter