- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,231,366
- Reaction score
- 59
NBA Summer League play is in the books for the OKC Thunder, which played eight games throughout its time in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
It was an opportunity to get a first look at rookies such as Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz, Otega Oweh and Josh Dix. But it was also a chance to see the strides made by second-year players such as Brooks Barnhizer and Payton Sandfort.
In this article, I'll be giving out grades for said players. These grades will only reflect how they performed in Summer League, not their outlook as a prospect. There's supposed to be room for improvement at this stage in their careers.
With that in mind, let's get started:
Thunder vs Nets score: OKC ends NBA Summer League play with loss to Brooklyn
OKC signed Barnhizer to a two-way contract for a second straight season. The 6-foot-6 forward then played in seven Summer League games.
Barnhizer showcased the same skills that initially intrigued OKC, which selected him with the 44th pick in the 2025 draft. He's still a glue guy who hustles on every play, crashes the glass and defends multiple positions.
But Barnhizer entered the NBA knowing he needed to become a better floor spacer. And the second-year pro didn't show any significant improvements in that department this summer.
Barnhizer averaged 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1 steal in 24.7 minutes. He shot 41.1% from the field (25% from deep).
That's the exact 3-point percentage Barnhizer shot during 2025 Summer League play, which is why I can't give him too high of a grade.
More: OKC Thunder signs Brooks Barnhizer, Josh Dix and Otega Oweh to two-way deals
After going undrafted this summer, Dix signed a two-way contract with OKC. The 6-5 guard then played in seven Summer League games.
Dix is a sharpshooter, despite what his stats at Creighton last season suggest. He shot 33.8% from deep but was a 40% 3-point shooter in his three previous seasons at Iowa, and the latter is the version OKC got during Summer League.
Dix averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.7 minutes. He shot 44.9% from the field (40.6% from deep).
It's worth noting that Dix's biggest performances came when OKC rested Mara and Stirtz. He didn't get a ton of shots up during the other outings. And when he wasn't shooting, he didn't do much else to make his presence known.
Dix didn't steal the show this summer, but he was a solid role player. And that's fine, considering that's likely what he'll be if he eventually earns a standard NBA contract.
More: OKC Thunder signs Creighton guard Josh Dix to two-way deal as undrafted rookie
OKC selected Mara with the No. 12 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 7-3 center then played in five Summer League games.
The impact of a player with Mara's elite size could be seen at times. He became a favorite pick-and-roll partner for Stirtz, and he rejected some shots at the rim. But there were also times when he wasn't aggressive enough on the boards and he didn't match the physicality of his opponents down low.
Mara also placed his passing abilities on display, regularly finding his teammates for good looks. And yet there were instances when he would've been better keeping it for himself, considering OKC mostly faced undersized teams.
Mara averaged 9.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 24 minutes. He shot 56.3% from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
Some short-sighted fans will jump ship on Mara, but the Michigan alum shouldn't be expected to have an instant impact. OKC doesn't need him to do so since it brought back all of its bigs. Overall, Mara showed both skills and areas where he can improve moving forward.
More: Thunder culture influenced Michigan basketball, so Aday Mara will fit right in with OKC
OKC selected Oweh with the No. 41 pick in the 2026 draft and signed him to a two-way contract. The 6-4 guard then briefly played in Summer League, but he suffered a left foot injury during the Thunder's second game and was sidelined the rest of the way.
Oweh's defensive tenacity stood out the most during his college days at OU and Kentucky, and he showed some of that during his short Summer League run. He used his size, strength and athleticism to be disruptive on that end of the floor.
The area of Oweh's game that needs the most improvement is his floor spacing, which was also apparent. He didn't have the most fluid shooting form during his two 3-point attempts, neither of which went in.
Oweh averaged 6.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists in 23.5 minutes. He shot 28.6% from the field.
Oweh didn't play enough this summer to receive a grade. But if he can become a better shooter, he has a chance to stick in the NBA.
More: For OKC Thunder draft pick Otega Oweh, there is no place like home in Oklahoma
After spending the end of last season on a two-way contract, Sandfort was waived by OKC this offseason. But the 6-7 forward remained with the team for Summer League, where he played in seven games.
It was a full-circle moment for Sandfort, who missed all of 2025 Summer League play while recovering from surgeries to repair torn labrums on both shoulders. And despite mostly coming off the bench this time around, he took over games at times.
Sandfort knocked down 3-pointers with a quick release and an unwavering confidence. But consistency was an issue, as he went through some lengthy cold stretches. And similar to Dix, he struggled to be impactful when he wasn't hitting shots.
Sandfort averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.1 minutes. He shot 39.2% from the field (28.3% from deep).
Sandfort deserves credit for his willingness to let it fly, and he deserves some leniency for missing time. All things considered, this summer was a step in the right direction.
More: How injuries helped OKC Thunder's Payton Sandfort gain perspective on NBA opportunity
OKC selected Stirtz with the No. 16 spot in the 2026 draft. The 6-4 guard then played in five Summer League games.
Stirtz was placed in a demanding role right away. With Nikola Topić sidelined due to injury, Stirtz was tasked with handling the bulk of OKC's facilitating and shot creating duties.
That understandably meant Stirtz needed an adjustment period, as he dealt with turnover problems and inefficient shooting to begin Summer League play. But he got better in both departments with each game and ended up looking comfortable in the lead role.
Stirtz averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 1 steal and 2.6 turnovers in 27.4 minutes. He shot 45% from the field (30% from deep).
Stirtz showed adaptability. And while the competition will only get fiercer in the NBA, his life will be made easier when he starts playing on OKC's star-studded roster. He'll get cleaner looks off the catch and will be passing to more dangerous scorers, which makes me think his productivity will continue to improve.
More: Bennett Stirtz isn't from a small town, but one helped shape OKC Thunder draft pick
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How did OKC Thunder rookies Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz grade in 2026 NBA Summer League?
Continue reading...
It was an opportunity to get a first look at rookies such as Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz, Otega Oweh and Josh Dix. But it was also a chance to see the strides made by second-year players such as Brooks Barnhizer and Payton Sandfort.
In this article, I'll be giving out grades for said players. These grades will only reflect how they performed in Summer League, not their outlook as a prospect. There's supposed to be room for improvement at this stage in their careers.
With that in mind, let's get started:
Thunder vs Nets score: OKC ends NBA Summer League play with loss to Brooklyn
OKC Thunder grades for NBA Summer League
You must be registered for see images attach
Brooks Barnhizer: B-
OKC signed Barnhizer to a two-way contract for a second straight season. The 6-foot-6 forward then played in seven Summer League games.
Barnhizer showcased the same skills that initially intrigued OKC, which selected him with the 44th pick in the 2025 draft. He's still a glue guy who hustles on every play, crashes the glass and defends multiple positions.
But Barnhizer entered the NBA knowing he needed to become a better floor spacer. And the second-year pro didn't show any significant improvements in that department this summer.
Barnhizer averaged 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1 steal in 24.7 minutes. He shot 41.1% from the field (25% from deep).
That's the exact 3-point percentage Barnhizer shot during 2025 Summer League play, which is why I can't give him too high of a grade.
More: OKC Thunder signs Brooks Barnhizer, Josh Dix and Otega Oweh to two-way deals
Josh Dix: C+
After going undrafted this summer, Dix signed a two-way contract with OKC. The 6-5 guard then played in seven Summer League games.
Dix is a sharpshooter, despite what his stats at Creighton last season suggest. He shot 33.8% from deep but was a 40% 3-point shooter in his three previous seasons at Iowa, and the latter is the version OKC got during Summer League.
Dix averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.7 minutes. He shot 44.9% from the field (40.6% from deep).
It's worth noting that Dix's biggest performances came when OKC rested Mara and Stirtz. He didn't get a ton of shots up during the other outings. And when he wasn't shooting, he didn't do much else to make his presence known.
Dix didn't steal the show this summer, but he was a solid role player. And that's fine, considering that's likely what he'll be if he eventually earns a standard NBA contract.
More: OKC Thunder signs Creighton guard Josh Dix to two-way deal as undrafted rookie
Aday Mara: B-
OKC selected Mara with the No. 12 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 7-3 center then played in five Summer League games.
The impact of a player with Mara's elite size could be seen at times. He became a favorite pick-and-roll partner for Stirtz, and he rejected some shots at the rim. But there were also times when he wasn't aggressive enough on the boards and he didn't match the physicality of his opponents down low.
Mara also placed his passing abilities on display, regularly finding his teammates for good looks. And yet there were instances when he would've been better keeping it for himself, considering OKC mostly faced undersized teams.
Mara averaged 9.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 24 minutes. He shot 56.3% from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
Some short-sighted fans will jump ship on Mara, but the Michigan alum shouldn't be expected to have an instant impact. OKC doesn't need him to do so since it brought back all of its bigs. Overall, Mara showed both skills and areas where he can improve moving forward.
More: Thunder culture influenced Michigan basketball, so Aday Mara will fit right in with OKC
Otega Oweh: Incomplete
OKC selected Oweh with the No. 41 pick in the 2026 draft and signed him to a two-way contract. The 6-4 guard then briefly played in Summer League, but he suffered a left foot injury during the Thunder's second game and was sidelined the rest of the way.
Oweh's defensive tenacity stood out the most during his college days at OU and Kentucky, and he showed some of that during his short Summer League run. He used his size, strength and athleticism to be disruptive on that end of the floor.
The area of Oweh's game that needs the most improvement is his floor spacing, which was also apparent. He didn't have the most fluid shooting form during his two 3-point attempts, neither of which went in.
Oweh averaged 6.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists in 23.5 minutes. He shot 28.6% from the field.
Oweh didn't play enough this summer to receive a grade. But if he can become a better shooter, he has a chance to stick in the NBA.
More: For OKC Thunder draft pick Otega Oweh, there is no place like home in Oklahoma
Payton Sandfort: C+
After spending the end of last season on a two-way contract, Sandfort was waived by OKC this offseason. But the 6-7 forward remained with the team for Summer League, where he played in seven games.
It was a full-circle moment for Sandfort, who missed all of 2025 Summer League play while recovering from surgeries to repair torn labrums on both shoulders. And despite mostly coming off the bench this time around, he took over games at times.
Sandfort knocked down 3-pointers with a quick release and an unwavering confidence. But consistency was an issue, as he went through some lengthy cold stretches. And similar to Dix, he struggled to be impactful when he wasn't hitting shots.
Sandfort averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.1 minutes. He shot 39.2% from the field (28.3% from deep).
Sandfort deserves credit for his willingness to let it fly, and he deserves some leniency for missing time. All things considered, this summer was a step in the right direction.
More: How injuries helped OKC Thunder's Payton Sandfort gain perspective on NBA opportunity
Bennett Stirtz: B+
You must be registered for see images
OKC selected Stirtz with the No. 16 spot in the 2026 draft. The 6-4 guard then played in five Summer League games.
Stirtz was placed in a demanding role right away. With Nikola Topić sidelined due to injury, Stirtz was tasked with handling the bulk of OKC's facilitating and shot creating duties.
That understandably meant Stirtz needed an adjustment period, as he dealt with turnover problems and inefficient shooting to begin Summer League play. But he got better in both departments with each game and ended up looking comfortable in the lead role.
Stirtz averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 1 steal and 2.6 turnovers in 27.4 minutes. He shot 45% from the field (30% from deep).
Stirtz showed adaptability. And while the competition will only get fiercer in the NBA, his life will be made easier when he starts playing on OKC's star-studded roster. He'll get cleaner looks off the catch and will be passing to more dangerous scorers, which makes me think his productivity will continue to improve.
More: Bennett Stirtz isn't from a small town, but one helped shape OKC Thunder draft pick
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How did OKC Thunder rookies Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz grade in 2026 NBA Summer League?
Continue reading...
