Four Potential OKC Thunder Draft Targets Playing in the Sweet 16

With the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament finished, there are still a handful of prospects playing in March Madness who could be good fits in Oklahoma City.

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) dunks against / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

With the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament complete, sixteen of the top college basketball teams in the country are still in the mix to win a national title.

While this year's NBA Draft cycle is loaded with international and G League Ignite prospects at the top of the board, there are a handful of talented collegiate players still competing in March Madness as the tournament heads into the Sweet 16 on Thursday and Friday.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder slotted to have one lottery pick this summer, there is a chance that one of the top prospects remaining in the Sweet 16 could end up in OKC, especially with a strong performance in the upcoming rounds of the tournament.

If the Utah Jazz's draft pick ends up outside of the top 10, it will convey to Sam Presti and company, giving the team two lottery selections.

Here are four NBA Draft prospects still playing in March Madness who could fit with the Thunder.

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Kyle Filipowski

With a small-ball power forward and a starting big man who is just over 200 pounds, it is no secret that Oklahoma City could use some size in its frontcourt. However, with Mark Daigneault's offensive system, OKC's center has to have a very specific set of skills.

Enter Duke big man Kyle Filipowski, a 7-foot, 248-pound center from Duke.

Coming out of high school, Filipowski was a 5-star recruit and has been talked about as a potential Thunder draft target all season. With his blend of size, high-post passing and ability to stretch the floor, the versatile sophomore seems to have the skills needed to keep Daigneault and the Thunder's offense running smoothly.

This season, Filipowski is averaging 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.5% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc.

Filipowski and the Blue Devils will take on No. 1-seed Houston in the Sweet 16 on Friday, March 29, in what should be an intriguing matchup.

Donovan Clingan

Playing for the defending national champion Connecticut Huskies, sophomore center Donovan Clingan is another prospect who would add much-needed size to OKC's frontcourt.

Listed at 7-foot-2 and 265 pounds, Clingan had a phenomenal performance in the Round of 32 to help UConn get past Northwestern with ease. Against the Wildcats, the former 4-star recruit tallied 14 points, 14 rebounds, eight blocks, one assist and one steal, shooting 5-of-7 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

This season, the talented big man is averaging 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 64.8% from the floor. Despite his size, Clingan has excellent mobility and can run the floor in transition while being a constant lob threat.

While Clingan's size and defensive ability would likely make him a good fit in OKC, Clingan has only attempted six 3-pointers all season, which could create issues for an offense focused on spacing the floor.

Still, with talented shooting coach Chip Engelland within the Thunder organization, Oklahoma City may feel like they can help Clingan improve his shot in the right situation.

Connecticut will take on San Diego State in the Sweet 16, a rematch of the 2023 national championship game.

Zach Edey

Another massive big man, Purdue's Zach Edey would also theoretically fix some of OKC's issues with size in the frontcourt. Listed at 7-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Edey dominates most of his opponents, who have no answer for his sheer size and strength.

This season, the 2023 Wooden Award winner is averaging 24.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.3 blocks per game and knocking down 62.3% of his field goals and over 71% of his attempts from the charity stripe.

While Edey has great size, the senior big man also doesn't take many attempts from beyond the arc, which could cause problems in Daigneault's offense built on spacing and stretching the floor. The Boilermakers will take on Gonzaga in their Sweet 16 matchup on Friday, March 29.

Dalton Knecht

Fifth-year Tennessee Volunteers wing Dalton Knecht has had one of the most unique journey's in college basketball. After spending two seasons at Northeastern Junior College to start his career, the Colorado native transferred to Northern Colorado, where he spent two more years competing at the mid-major level.

Transferring to Tennessee for his final year of collegiate eligibility, Knecht has put himself firmly in the mix to be a potential lottery pick this summer. Listed at 6-foot-6, the Volunteers' standout is averaging 21.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 46.1% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.

With Knecht's size, perimeter shooting ability and relentless hustle, the fifth-year senior seems like he would be a solid fit with the Thunder, who may be moving on from veteran wing Gordon Hayward after the 2023-24 season.

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