Thunder select Northwestern guard Brooks Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick in the NBA Draft

In the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Brooks Barnhizer out of Northwestern with the number 44 overall pick.

Just like the Thunder's first-round draft pick in Thomas Sorber, Branhizer had his 2024-2025 campaign cut short thanks to a foot injury. In 17 games for the Wildcats this past season, Barnhizer averaged over 17 points per game to go with over almost nine rebounds and over four assists.

ESPN draft analyst, Jay Bilas, had this to say about the former Northwestern star guard on the broadcast, "Barnhizer is a high IQ player. He had a foot injury this last year that really disrupted the end of his season. But he knows how to play. He is an excellent defender, has really good length, and is tough as nails. I'm not surprised he was drafted."

In 2023-2024, Barnhizer played in 34 games for the Wildcats and put up over 14 points a game to go with over seven rebounds and nearly 2 steals a contest. The 6'6 guard has a 6'11 wingspan and was a big-time minutes guy for Northwestern, playing over 36 minutes the past two seasons.

According to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, OKC is expected to sign Barnhizer to a two-way contract. The Thunder and general manager Sam Presti have struck gold before in the second round. Jaylin Williams, who was drafted at 34 overall in 2022, and Aaron Wiggins, who was drafted at number 55 overall in 2021, have proven to be good role players for OKC.

The 2025 NBA champions originally had three draft picks in the NBA Draft, but traded their 24th pick on Wednesday to Sacramento.