The Oklahoma City Thunder have selected Cason Wallace, out of Kentucky, with the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after Dallas and OKC essentially swapped their picks in a Draft night trade.
After months of scouting and evaluating talent, from Thunder executives to Thunder fans anxiously awaiting who the new member of the team will be, everyone finally has their answer, and all parties can relax…somewhat.
Who is Cason Wallace?
First of all, Cason has pride in where he’s from. He’s a community guy, and that’s what Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City faithful love to see.
On draft night, Wallace wore a suit with the letters “HPT” printed all over. Hamilton Park, Texas, is what HTP stands for, and it’s an all-Black neighborhood in North Dallas.
Wallace spent his formative years in the community, which emerged in the aftermath of several devastating bombings that targeted predominantly Black neighborhoods in South Dallas. Its name pays tribute to Dr. Richard T. Hamilton, an esteemed Black physician and influential figure in the community. The neighborhood’s official dedication took place in October 1953, and it welcomed its first residents in May 1954.
Having honed his skills during his four-year tenure at Richardson, Wallace emerged as a prominent figure in a remarkable cohort of local recruits, ultimately earning recognition as The Dallas Morning News’ 2022 boys basketball player of the year.
The 19-year-old went on to play one year of college basketball at Kentucky, where he averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.6% from 3.
How does Wallace fit OKC?
Wallace is the perfect fit for the Thunder. While many Thunder fans may have been anticipating a big man, they got a defensive-minded guard that can do it all; he’s an elite defender, underrated scorer, shooter, and playmaker, making him a solid two-way talent for OKC.
He fits into the Oklahoma City culture seamlessly, and that’s ultimately why Presti selected him.
