{
  "id": 65771,
  "title": "Every Arizona player drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/every-arizona-player-drafted-by-the-oklahoma-city-thunder",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-03T02:00:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/every-arizona-player-drafted-oklahoma-020038318.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Oklahoma City Thunder have built their roster through various traditional NBA methods, with the draft playing a significant role since their inception as the Seattle SuperSonics. The team has made multiple direct selections and trades on draft day, adding both star players and notable alumni over the years. Several colleges have contributed to the Thunder's roster, but OKC has maintained a diverse approach in scouting prospects. Out of Arizona, the Thunder have drafted four players, both from prestigious programs and smaller institutions. Jud Buechler, a forward, was selected in the 1990 NBA Draft as the 11th pick overall in the second round. He played four seasons at Arizona before ultimately not making it to the Thunder's roster. Joseph Blair, a center, was chosen in the 1996 NBA Draft as the sixth pick in the second round. Blair also played four seasons at Arizona but, similarly to Buechler, never made it to the Thunder's roster. These are the only Arizona players to have been drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, as documented by Basketball Reference.",
  "summary": "Let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Thunder out of Arizona.",
  "key_points": [
    "Thunder drafted two Arizona players: Jud Buechler and Joseph Blair",
    "Buechler selected 11th overall in 1990, Blair 6th overall in 1996",
    "Neither Buechler nor Blair played for Thunder's roster"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Every San Francisco State University player drafted by the Golden State Warriors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/every-san-francisco-state-university-player-drafted-by-the-golden",
        "published": "2026-08-03T02:00:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}