As the Oklahoma City Thunder reach nearly two decades since relocation, the first wave of players and coaches who've been part of the organization have made Naismith's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Carmelo Anthony and Billy Donovan became eligible and were inducted into the Hall of Fame's 2025 class. Anthony played a sole season on the Thunder in 2017-18. Meanwhile, Donovan was OKC's head coach from 2015-20.
Neither should be surprising. Anthony is one of the greatest players of his era. He was a 10-time All-Star and one of the best scorers in his prime. Even though his tenure with the Thunder ended in disappointment with a first-round exit, his willingness to waive his no-trade clause with the New York Knicks to join Russell Westbrook and Paul George was a ceremonious victory.
Meanwhile, Donovan is one of the greatest college coaches ever. He won two national titles at Florida. In his five seasons with the Thunder, he made the Western Conference Finals once and the playoffs the other four years.
Expect several more former Thunder players and coaches to make the Hall of Fame. They've been one of the more successful franchises since Sam Presti took over as GM in 2007. That's despite not having a championship yet.
Congratulations to #25HoopClass inductees Carmelo Anthony and Billy Donovan 👏 pic.twitter.com/I9jsXH0drI
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 6, 2025
Mark Daigneault on Billy Donovan being eligible for the Hall of Fame now. Said he believes he deserves to get in considering his college/NBA work
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 22, 2024
“If you look at his coaching record, I think it’s pretty clean that he should be in there.” pic.twitter.com/V0dNbMaHbo
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Carmelo Anthony, Billy Donovan inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
