5 best NBA careers in Oklahoma basketball history

Although the tradition isn't as broad as football, there have also been plenty of Oklahoma Sooners make a name for themselves in the NBA.

There are currently three former OU players in the NBA and one on the way with Jeremiah Fears a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Fears could crash this list one day, but as of now, here are the five best NBA careers from former Sooners.

The greatest NBA Sooners

Alvan Adams

Alvan Adams is the oldest player on this list with an NBA career that lasted from 1975 until 1988, during which he played more games than any other player in Phoenix Suns history. He immediately made a great impression on the league as the 1976 NBA Rookie of the Year and was also an NBA All-Star that season. The Suns eventually retired his No. 33 jersey.

Mookie Blaylock

Mookie Blaylock made himself known on the defensive end of the court between the Nets, Hawks and Warriors. He was on the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice and made the Second Team four seasons in a row in 1996-99. He led the league in steals in 1997 and 1998.

Blaylock was also an NBA All-Star in 1994.

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is the only No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick to come out of OU. He turned the selection into a 13-year career between the Clippers, Pistons, Nets and Celtics before retiring in 2023. He was a six-time NBA All-Star and NBA Rookie of the Year in 2011. He also famously won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2011 by jumping over a car.

Wayman Tisdale

Wayman Tisdale was a favorite of Sooner Nation. He played 12 seasons in the NBA between the Pacers, Kings and Suns, and averaged 15.3 points a game throughout his career. After basketball, he pursued another successful career as a musician.

Trae Young

Considering he's still only 26, Trae Young could top this group one day. He's already a four-time NBA All-Star and led the NBA in assists this season as the Atlanta Hawks' franchise player. And when Young isn't on the court, he serves as OU's assistant general manager.

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