{
  "id": 6367579,
  "title": "Every Illinois State player drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/every-illinois-state-player-drafted-by-the-oklahoma-city-thunder",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T02:00:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/every-illinois-state-player-drafted-020039194.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Oklahoma City Thunder have consistently built their team through various methods, with the NBA draft being a significant contributor since their founding as the Seattle SuperSonics. The franchise has secured top players via direct selections or trades on draft day. Besides these, the Thunder have also selected notable alumni each offseason. Several colleges, including more prominent ones, have regularly provided high-caliber prospects to the Thunder’s roster. The article below lists every Illinois State player who has been drafted by the Thunder.\n\nBilly Lewis, a forward, was selected in the 4th round (17th pick, 83rd overall) of the 1978 NBA Draft. He played four seasons at Illinois State but did not make the Thunder's team.\n\nLou Stefanovic, another forward, was chosen in the 5th round (4th pick, 97th overall) of the 1985 NBA Draft. Stefanovic also played four seasons at Illinois State but was not drafted by the Thunder.",
  "summary": "Let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Thunder out of Illinois State.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Motorsport.com",
        "title": "Robert Shwartzman joins Peugeot for WEC 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/robert-shwartzman-joins-peugeot-for-wec-2027",
        "published": "2026-09-08T12:05:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Former NBA player Robert Covington joins Tennessee State basketball staff",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/former-nba-player-robert-covington-joins-tennessee-state-basketball",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:57:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}