Thunder End of the Year Report Card: Eugene Omoruyi
After time spent with the Oklahoma City Blue, Eugene Omoruyi picked up a two-way contract, which was converted to a standard contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He played 23 games with the Thunder, including two starts.
Omoruyi was waived by the Thunder in late February after cashing in a standard contract and getting paid by the Thunder. He was signed to two different 10-day contracts by the Detroit Pistons, who eventually signed him. He played 17 games and got four starts for the Pistons this season.
Overall Grade: C-
This was a really fun season to be a part of the Thunder, as they’ve got a young, college-like atmosphere. Omoruyi got to do that for 23 games played and for a good portion of the season, but eventually had to make the move elsewhere. This makes his season hard to grade.
Omoruyi was a good small-ball center that the Thunder could implement, and he provided a solid body for them, but the lack of opportunity and minutes gives his grade a low ceiling. On top of that, he didn’t do incredible things on either side of the ball.
Offensively
Again, with a smaller sample size and a lack of role in the offense, Omoruyi wasn’t able to do too much. His best game this season was his 22-point game in mid-November that helped the Thunder surpass the Toronto Raptors. He shot 8-of-10 from the field and knocked down five of his six 3-pointers.
However, that wasn’t a consistent thing for Omoruyi. He would sometimes play like a bulldozer and will his way to a shot attempt at the rim, and he’d be left wide open for 3-pointers, but there was no consistent role for him. Omoruyi averaged 4.9 points per game in his time with the Thunder.
Defensively
If any part of the 26-year-old’s game is to be memorized during his Thunder tenure, it will be his solid frame and impact down in the paint. The Thunder played plenty of time without a big man, and Omoruyi was one of the players that was tasked to play bigger than his height. Thankfully, his strength allowed him to do so.
On top of using his frame to help the small-ball system, Omoruyi was a solid point of attack defender and could do solid when tasked with guarding a solid scoring, bigger wing.
Not being a high-flyer, Omoruyi relied on his strength and effort on defense, which was plenty for his impact to be felt in his little time on the court.
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