OKC Thunder: Isaiah Wong Provides Strong Offensive Weapon in Second Round

Isaiah Wong played four collegiate seasons and gained valuable experience, and could use that experience to continue to make improvements at the next level.

Oklahoma City has the chance to take a shot on a seasoned older college player in the late-second round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Most of the players who will likely be available in the latter part of the draft were stars in college, but due to a variety of different circumstances the player isn’t projected to be a high draft pick. The same is true for Miami’s Isaiah Wong, who just completed his fourth season with the Hurricanes and checks in as a 6-foot-4 guard.

Wong blossomed into a true offensive weapon for Miami during his time in college. This past season he averaged 16.2 points, but that’s not all he can do. Wong also averaged 4.3 rebounds, and despite his size, he was able to use his athleticism to crash the boards. Wong also averaged 3.2 assists last season.

Offensively, Wong remained consistent his past three seasons. Wong’s best scoring season came in his sophomore year where he averaged more than 17 points per game. Last season, though, was Wong's best season from 3-point range. Wong posted a 38% mark from beyond the arc, which is just better than his freshman season.

Wong’s career was filled with ups and downs, but offensively he has the chance to be a weapon at the next level, despite his lack of true size.

OKC is no stranger to shorter guards, and Wong could be a good addition to the bench for the team as they continue to pursue more offensive weapons to fill out their roster. Wong is currently projected to be drafted right near the No. 50 mark in recent mock drafts.

The Thunder could benefit from another guard to challenge for playing time, and Wong could be the best remaining option on the board assuming OKC drafts a separate position in the first round, as many experts project.

Wong isn’t the most explosive or biggest player in the draft, but his offensive skills and IQ could be a good addition to the bench in OKC as the Thunder continue to push forward in their rebuild. 

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