Jamir Watkins and Tahaad Pettiford Erupt in Joy as Thomas Sorber Becomes a First-Round NBA Draft Pick

College basketball stars Jamir Watkins and Tahaad Pettiford took to social media to share their excitement as their former peer, Thomas Sorber, was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City made its first move since capturing the NBA championship, selecting Georgetown standout Thomas Sorber with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.

The 6-foot-9, 262-pound forward was a force in college basketball last season, earning praise for his physical presence and production in the paint. As Sorber’s name was announced, emotions ran high, not just for him, but across the college basketball community.


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College Peers Celebrate Thomas Sorber’s Draft Night

Thomas Sorber’s former peers from the college basketball world wasted no time celebrating his big moment.

Florida State’s Jamir Watkins appeared to be in the building and posted a video to his Instagram story as Sorber walked to the stage, writing, “Let’s go boy.”

Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford showed his support from home, posting on his Instagram story, “You did it, family… more than proud of you.”

Sorber made an immediate impact in his freshman season at Georgetown, starting 23 of the 24 games he played before his season was cut short. He was a consistent force for the Hoyas, averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game.

His strong two-way presence earned him All-Big East Third Team honors and a spot on the Big East All-Freshman Team. The forward was also a seven-time Big East Freshman of the Week, a testament to his breakout debut season.

Defensively, Sorber brings real value to the Thunder. With an impressive 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9-foot-1 standing reach, his mobility and timing give the team another reliable shot-blocking option.

His ability to guard multiple positions could allow him to play either the four or five next to Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein, providing valuable defensive versatility to Oklahoma City’s frontcourt rotation.

Sorber’s season was cut short due to a left foot injury that required surgery in February. The injury occurred on February 15, and he underwent surgery on February 26. Despite that setback, he is expected to be fully healthy and available by the start of the NBA season, adding even more depth to the reigning champions’ frontcourt rotation.

Keep Reading: Are the Thunder Willing To Cut Ties With $87M Star After Landing Center Thomas Sorber in 2025 NBA Draft?

With a strong roster already in place, Sorber will have the opportunity to develop at a steady pace without immediate pressure. It will be interesting to see how he fits into an Oklahoma City team coming off its first championship in franchise history.

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