It’s summer in the NBA, so the free time is a perfect opportunity to reflect and learn more about the history of the league. Oklahoma City Thunder are a relatively new franchise, they technically share history with the Seattle Supersonics.
The Sonics’ first season was in 1967. The Thunder’s first season was in 2008. That kind of longevity has allowed several players to wear virtually every jersey number available.
In the midst of boredom, Thunder wire We’re going to look back at all 51 jersey numbers worn, from 00 to 97. This exercise will include the history of the Sonics. Let’s look at the 10 players who wore jersey number 2 during their time with the franchise:
Brad Sellers, 1990
Sellers only spent six seasons in the NBA. He was the ninth overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft. He played for four different teams, including the Sonics. He spent half a season in Seattle before being traded to the The TimberwolvesHe averaged 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 45 games.
Gary Payton, 1991
The Hall of Famer is arguably the greatest player in Sonics history. The Glove was a nine-time All-Star and nine-time All-Defensive player. He is considered one of the best defenders in league history and had his best years in Seattle during his 13 seasons there. Before wearing No. 20, he wore No. 2 during his rookie season. The former is not yet retired, but it is certain that it will be if the Sonics ever return to Seattle.
Vincent Askew, 1996
Askew had a long career that spanned several stages. He was a role player who spent most of his NBA time in Seattle. He spent four seasons with the Sonics from 1992 to 1996. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 284 career games in Seattle. He moved from 17th to 2nd in scoring in his final year with the Sonics.
Greg Anthony, 1998
Before Anthony became known for his iconic voice as a commentator to the latest generation of basketball fans, he built a long career as a role player. He played for six teams during his 11 years. That included a season with the Sonics during the 1997-98 campaign. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.6 assists in 80 games.
Delonte West, 2008
Known for his time spent on the RidersWest previously played for the Sonics. He spent half a season in Seattle during the 2007-08 campaign. He averaged 6.8 points and 3.2 assists in 35 games.
Sefolosha was a quality starter for a title contender in OKC. He played with the Thunder for six seasons from 2009-14. He was a classic 3-and-D player who fit in well with Kevin Durant And Russell WestbrookHe averaged 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 368 career games with the Thunder. He spent his first five seasons wearing the No. 2 jersey.
In the twilight of his career, Butler spent a few months with the Thunder. He signed with OKC at the end of the 2014 season. He averaged 9.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 22 games. The former multiple All-Star lasted just two more years in the NBA before retiring.
Added in free agency, Morrow provided the Thunder with an elite outside shooter. The role player had some of his best years in OKC. He averaged 7.7 points and shot 39.4 percent from three-point range in his three seasons with the Thunder.
Brought in to bolster the backup position, Felton spent the final two seasons of his career with the Thunder. He averaged 6.1 points and 2.2 assists in 115 career games in OKC. He was a solid piece off the bench during his brief stint with the Thunder.
It’s a safe bet that Gilgeous-Alexander will be the last player in Thunder history to wear No. 2. The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s best players with back-to-back 30-plus game seasons of exceptional efficiency. He’s a two-time All-Star and will be a regular at the event for the foreseeable future. He finished second for MVP last year and has a chance to win the prestigious award during his time in OKC. He’s the third-best player in Thunder history and could climb that rank depending on what he accomplishes over the next few years.
This article was originally published on OKC Thunder Wire: Every player in OKC Thunder history who wore number 2
