EXCLUSIVE: After a Long Rehab Process, Adam Flagler Is Grateful To Return to the Court
As confetti rained down on Adam Flagler and Jared Butler in March of 2021, fans would have never guessed how the rest of their respective basketball journey would unfold. Already NCAA Champions, Butler would jump ship for the NBA that offseason, but Flagler would hang around Waco for the next two seasons.
Flagler — a Duluth, Georgia product — wrapped up his college career as a Champion, two-time All Big-12 member, and a successful 127 college games under his belt, 99 of which he started.
In his time with the Bears, Flagler shared the stage with Butler, Davion Mitchell, Jeremy Sochan, Kendall Brown, and Keyonte George, all leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft.
As George flew off the board at pick No. 16 last summer, Flagler did not hear his name called on draft night despite impressing some teams.
Even then, the Baylor product's draft workout with the Thunder was special to him.
"Out of all the workouts, it was family-oriented," Flagler told Inside the Thunder. "The minute you got there, they made sure you meet everyone, like I was already there, like they had already picked me up," Flagler told Inside the Thunder.
The predraft workout was a full circle moment as the 6-foot-3 guard was able to see his former Bears teammate in Butler, who spent last season on a two-way deal for the Thunder.
"My predraft workout, I came out here, and [Jared Butler] was here, so I was able to chop it up with him and ask some interesting questions. It was all great things, and he was just praising this organization, saying, 'If you have an opportunity to come here, definitely come here.' And we talked before [The Wizards Game] just chopped it up; it was a memory of a lifetime for sure." Flagler went on to say.
During that Friday Night clash with the Washington Wizards, the rookie guard made his NBA debut just 17 games into his first professional season.
Flagler started the year on the shelf rehabbing a meniscus tear, which was no easy challenge to overcome.
"I am happy for Adam [Flagler], he had an injury that was a long rehab, and there was a lot of dark days with that. He is incredibly professional, diligent, and he has worked his way all the way back to where now he is playing in an NBA game so I am really happy for him." Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said following Friday's game against Washington.
While the rehab process might have included some dark days for Flagler, it also made him grateful to get back on the court. It also made his debut that much more special.
"I want to give the Glory to God, I want to give thanks to everyone in my circle, and most importantly, thank you to the Thunder for taking the chance on me and investing in me. [The rehab process] was definitely tough, being on the sidelines, not being able to work out, play, pick up with the new guys, but they were so welcoming, so encouraging from top to bottom," Flagler told Inside the Thunder. "I am just thankful to be a part of an organization like this...The opportunity is so amazing I am just thankful to put a Thunder jersey on."
After just 14 G League games, the Oklahoma City Thunder inked Adam Flagler to their open two-way spot just before the All-Star Break. While he stayed with the Blue until Friday's double feature at the Paycom Center, he was nearly introducing himself to his teammates before checking into his first NBA game.
Flagler laughed when asked how much time he got to spend with the current Thunder roster ahead of his debut, saying none at all. On top of making a first impression on his NBA teammates, the rookie played in both ends of the OKC Blue, OKC Thunder doubleheader, logging 29 minutes for the Blue at noon against the Austin Spurs before playing his first six minutes of NBA action that night.
"Not since AAU," Flagler chuckled, reminiscing on the last time he played two games in one day, "I have dreamed of this my whole life, the coaches did a great job of preparing me, telling me to stay ready whenever, and I just went out there and competed.
In the G League, the 24-year-old is averaging 12 points, three assists, as many rebounds, and nearly a steal per game while shooting 42 percent from the floor, 37 percent from beyond the arc, and 93 percent at the charity stripe.
He will now look to build upon his career now that he has an opportunity and pathway to earn NBA minutes.
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