When Oklahoma City traded down in the 2019 NBA Draft from No. 21 to No. 23 (while acquiring the Memphis Grizzlies 2024 second-round pick in the process), the Thunder selected Darius Bazley, a prep-to-pro forward. Because he didn’t play at the college level, it’s hard to find many details about the newest addition to the franchise. Here are some things Thunders fans should know about the No. 23 draft pick:
Bazley decommitted from two colleges.
He was set to play for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, but Bazley eventually decommitted. He chose the Orange over Indiana, Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, Louisville, Maryland, Purdue, and Xavier, among others.
But No. 13 player in the 2018 class according to ESPN was originally committed to play in the Big Ten for Ohio State, according to Syracuse.com.
Bazley was supposed to play in the G League.
The reason he didn’t play college ball was he planned to play in the G League instead. But then after talking it over with those in his camp, Bazley saw it was a lose-lose situation, which he expressed to Shams Charania of The Athletic in August of 2018.
If you play well, it’s expected. If you don’t play well, you’re not NBA-ready. That’s what they’ll say.
Bazley shares an agent with LeBron James.
Yes, that means Bazley is represented by the same agent, Rich Paul, who got Anthony Davis out of New Orleans and over to the Los Angeles Lakers before his contract with the Pelicans was up. Paul also represents Thunder forward Terrance Ferguson and Thunder free agent Markieff Morris, as well as Washington Wizards guard John Wall and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.
Bazley lived with Mike Miller while training in Memphis.
Instead of playing in the G League or for a college, Bazely wound up training with Raheem Shabazz, a respected trainer. The Ohio native needed a place to stay while training with Shabazz in Memphis, so Paul set Bazley up with fellow Klutch Sports client and former NBA player Mike Miller.
Miller told Ethan Sears of the New York Post he was happy to help Bazley because of his enthusiasm.
How excited and passionate he was about getting ready and was taking it serious, it was a no-brainer for me. Such a good kid, man, it was an easy one for me.
Bazley interned at New Balance.
The term “intern” is used loosely here. Not because Bazley didn’t do his job, it’s because he also agreed to an endorsement contract with the company worth a minimum of $1 million. It can climb up to $14 million, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Bazley’s measurables.
The wing comes in at 6-foot-9, 209 pounds. The 19-year-old has a 7-foot wingspan.
Bazley can put on a show.
Here’s his highlight reel from the combine.
