{
  "id": 12043522,
  "title": "Every Murray State player drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/every-murray-state-player-drafted-by-the-oklahoma-city-thunder",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T01:00:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/every-murray-state-player-drafted-010029555.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Oklahoma City Thunder have built their roster through the NBA draft and trades since their inception as the Seattle SuperSonics. Several top players have joined the team via direct draft selections or trades on draft day. In addition to star players drafted, the Thunder have also taken on notable alumni each offseason. Both major and lesser-known colleges have contributed high-quality talent to the Thunder's roster over time.\n\nThis article will explore every player drafted by the Thunder who was once a Murray State student-athlete. Claude Virden, a forward, was selected in the 9th round (142nd overall) of the 1970 NBA Draft. He played at Murray State for three seasons but never made the team. Gary Ray Hooker, another forward, was taken in the 4th round (20th pick, 89th overall) of the 1980 NBA Draft. Hooker attended Murray State for just one season before joining the Thunder. Cameron Payne, a guard, was drafted in the 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft. Payne spent two seasons at Murray State before being selected by the Thunder.",
  "summary": "Let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Thunder out of Murray State.",
  "key_points": [
    "Claude Virden, a Murray State forward, was drafted 142nd overall in 1970",
    "Gary Ray Hooker, a Murray State forward, was selected 20th overall in 1980",
    "Cameron Payne, a guard from Murray State, was drafted 14th overall in 2015"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Oklahoma City Thunder's drafting of Murray State players, including Cameron Payne, Gary Ray Hooker, and Claude Virden, shows the team has considered talent from the school over several decades.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Every Wichita State player drafted by the Golden State Warriors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/every-wichita-state-player-drafted-by-the-golden-state-warriors",
        "published": "2026-10-05T01:00:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}