The OKC Blue held their 2023-24 media day on Thursday in preparation for the new season. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League affiliate recently kicked off their training camp.
The Blue’s season starts on Nov. 10. Head coach Kam Woods will enter his second consecutive season at the helm.
The three Thunder two-way players headline the Blue’s training camp roster: Keyontae Johnson, Lindy Waters III and Olivier Sarr. As in previous seasons, the Thunder will use the Blue to give their younger players extensive minutes.
Woods, Jaden Shackelford, Hunter Maldonado and Caleb McConnell spoke with the media during Thursday’s event.
Let’s recap what they said.
Blue HC Kam Woods’ opening statement pic.twitter.com/XXIjJI5l1g
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Kam Woods on Keyontae Johnson: “He’s a rookie. He has a lot of talent… The biggest thing for him is just learning the system… He’s done a great job.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Caleb McConnell: “I really take pride in guarding the best player.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Kam Woods: "I feel like I had a lot of experiences I grew through last year that were unique and different. They allowed me to have a good perspective of what's ahead."
Said the biggest differences for him heading into his 2nd season is readiness and support
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Kam Woods on his sit-ins with the Thunder coaching staff: "Having a chance to get up there and just learn and observe and watch as that team's continuing to grow… Mark's such a great coach. X's and O's wise, he's really good."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Kam Woods on goals for his 2nd season: "Continue to grow and understand that the environment we want to set here is very important and the players getting better here us very important."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Kam Woods on Caleb McConnell: "He has really good instincts. He has long arms, quick feet. The thing that's impressive about him is he doesn't really have an ego… He's very coachable, he works very hard. He's a great kid."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Jaden Shackelford on Caleb McConnell: "He loves basketball. He loves (the defensive) side of the ball… He's a dog and has the kind of energy we want to be on this team."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Hunter Maldonado on the G League's $40K minimum salary: "Coming from college to actually making some money playing this sport is definitely different. But for me, obviously, if you're in the G League you love to play basketball."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Hunter Maldonado said he hopes to improve his pace and 3-point shooting this season
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Hunter Maldonado on what attracted him to the Thunder as a UDFA: "The culture that the Thunder have provided was definitely one of a kind."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Caleb McConnell on his defense: "I feel like it's something you have to take pride in. If anything, it's an effort thing… I really want to win so I take pride in guarding the best player or doing whatever the coach asks me to do."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Caleb McConnell on his 5 seasons at Rutgers: "I had an amazing time and career at Rutgers. I was able to meet some great people out there. I'm just blessed man."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Caleb McConnell on what attracted him to OKC: "The type of team OKC Thunder is. From top to bottom… This is a great team to be a part of. Just all the values and things they've taught me already. I've been here for 6 months and I've learned so much already."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Caleb McConnell on the process of signing back with the Thunder: "I feel like this was the right place to be… This organization is something special and they're growing… (I) knew right away it was the right decision."
Said he did 8 draft workouts and his OKC one was the best
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Caleb McConnell on the Thunder: "They're super big on their development. That is the reason why I came here. I know I had holes in my game that I need to work on… I knew if I came here, I can be developed into where I want to be."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2023
Kameron Woods on Mark Daigneault "We have a great relationship that has grown over the year's. He is the first coach I played for out of college and I haven't really been around other coaches since…I care about him as a person, he cares about me as a person."
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) November 2, 2023
I asked Hunter Maldonado about the difference in CBB vs G League "At Wyoming, we played super slow." he said he will need to adjust to the pace in the G League, where the possessions get up to the 100s. Wyoming was one of the best Half-court teams in CBB.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) November 2, 2023
I asked Caleb McConnell about his Blanket nickname and how it came to be "I love that nickname. My Girlfriends dad he is a crazy basketball junkie and just out of nowhere, he was like, 'Man, you need a name'…so one day, he comes to the game [in the Garden vs. Michigan State]…
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) November 2, 2023
I asked Caleb McConnell how he became a 3-and-D player w/ No ego "In High School you are able to do whatever you want. Usually, you are the best player on the team. Do whatever you want, shoot whenever you want. So when I got to college man, I played with some great teammates, I…
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) November 2, 2023
