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Oklahoma City Thunder 'Big Three' honored by their high school alma maters after winning the NBA championship

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby: Lawrence Fernandez06/23/25lawandfern
Oklahoma City Thunder
Photo credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2024-25 National Basketball Association champions after a hard-fought seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers. They completed the season with 84 victories, tied with the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for fourth-most in league history.

While the Thunder did have a commendable supporting cast like Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, it’s their Big Three that gets the most credit for this championship. Therefore, it’s no wonder that their high school alma maters are proud of their accomplishments.

Chet Holmgren finished Game 7 of the NBA Finals with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. The rim protection he provided helped sealed the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first NBA title since transferring from Seattle, Washington. After the victory, the Minnehaha Redhawks posted on X/Twitter, “WE HAVE AN NBA CHAMP!!!”

Holmgren won four state championships in as many seasons at Minnehaha. The 7-foot-1 center started gaining national attention during his junior year when he had 12 blocks in a televised game against Bronny James and the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers.

In his final year with the Redhawks (2021), The Oklahoma City Thunder defensive anchor won the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year, and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, Jalen Williams was instrumental in the Thunder’s success, especially when he scored 40 points in their Game 5 victory. After winning the NBA title, Perry High School celebrated their former student-athlete.

The Perry High Athletics account on X/Twitter posted, “Puma Nation is so proud of Perry alum, Jalen Williams and the @okcthunder, on their NBA Championship! What an incredible team performance. They just showed us what teammates that really care for each other can do!”

Before the 2025 NBA Finals, Perry renamed the campus’ main road, Perry Puma Drive, into Jalen Williams Way. It’s a fitting tribute to the 6-foot-5 wing player who averaged 25 points per game during his senior year.

In addition to being an NBA champion, Williams finished the 2024-25 season as an All-Star, an All-NBA Third Team member, and an All-Defensive Second Team member.

Oklahoma City Thunder MVP congratulated by his alma mater

Finally, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s undisputed leader. After winning the championship, he also became the first NBA player to win regular season MVP, conference finals MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season.

While he was born and raised in Canada, he played for Tennessee’s Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. The Hawks are brimming with pride for one of their own by tweeting, “Congratulations to Hawks Alumni @shaiglalex on the culmination of an amazing season. Every accolade you have earned is 100% deserved. We are incredibly proud of you!”

The Oklahoma City Thunder main man finished the regular season averaging 32.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.1 points per game. In addition to his MVP awards, he’s also an All-NBA First Team member and the season’s scoring champion.