Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti and owner Clay Bennett stand next to the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the ring ceremony before the start of a game against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesClemente Almanza, OKC Thunder WireTue, November 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM UTC·3 min readOne of the most popular sports figures in state history, Sam Presti was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Since becoming the general manager in 2007, he's helped the Oklahoma City Thunder become one of the most successful NBA franchises of this era.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame opened in 1928. To be eligible, someone must reside in the state, perform outstanding services to humanity or be known for their public service throughout the state. Of course, anybody who follows basketball knows what Presti has accomplished.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn Presti's nearly two decades as the Thunder GM, he's built up two title contenders, three MVP winners and an NBA championship. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spent their prime years in OKC.
Here's what Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Chet Holmgren had to say about Presti's latest accomplishment:
Mark Daigneault
“I've said this many times, but what he and Clay collectively have done is amazing. Clay had the vision to bring the team here. Put the people in place and have supported his people with unbelievable leadership and humility. Sam has been the architect of bringing that vision to life.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"With the decisions he's made over time. The investments he's made in the organization. The people he's brought in over time. He's done that for a very significant amount of time now. Almost two decades, which is a long, long time. He's done with tremendous endurance and determination. That award is well deserved."
Chet Holmgren
“First of all, congrats to him. It was a helluva speech he made. Obviously well deserved. The amount of things he’s done for Oklahoma is impressive. People associate him so much with the team and what’s happened with the team. He really does truly care about Oklahoma beyond the team.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I first understood that when he brought us to The Memorial with our rookie class when we first got drafted. Made sure we understood the history of the city. Why everybody comes together so much. Also, just the way he appreciates the landscape of the city and how important this new arena is coming up.
"How he talks about the importance of the details. You can tell he's a detailed guy. It goes so much farther than basketball. Long story short, well deserved."
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Daigneault, Holmgren react to Sam Presti's OK Hall of Fame induction
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