With the 44th Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder Lands Brooks Barnhizer — A Gritty Northwestern Star Set to Ignite OKC with Elite Versatility, Relentless Hustle, and Smart Two-Way Play⚡️

 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have added another high-upside talent to their promising young core, selecting Northwestern’s Brooks Barnhizer with the 44th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Known for his all-around skill set, unrelenting hustle, and basketball IQ well beyond his years, Barnhizer could be one of the biggest steals of the second round.

 

At 6-foot-7, Barnhizer brings valuable versatility to Oklahoma City’s wing and guard rotations. He proved to be a dynamic presence at Northwestern, averaging strong numbers across the board in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. What sets him apart is not just his production, but the intangibles—leadership, grit, and the ability to impact the game without needing the spotlight.

 

Thunder GM Sam Presti spoke highly of the pick, saying, “Brooks is a competitor. He’s a winner. He knows how to play the game the right way, and we believe he fits perfectly into our culture of hard work and development.”

 

Barnhizer’s ability to defend multiple positions, crash the boards, and make smart plays on both ends makes him a dream fit for OKC’s positionless style. With the Thunder already boasting emerging stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, Barnhizer’s complementary skill set and willingness to do the dirty work could make him a valuable contributor sooner than expected.

 

For Thunder fans, this pick represents more than just depth—it’s another piece of the puzzle as Oklahoma City eyes a deep playoff push in the near future. With Barnhizer’s blend of toughness, intelligence, and heart, the Thunder continue to build something special in OKC.