Congrats to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins on an amazing journey! He started his journey from the 55th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft to the NBA Finals. This transformation has been expressed through resolve, fortitude, and enormous contributions to his team. Wiggins marked his selection by celebrating with family and friends at a restaurant in Greensboro, North Carolina. By signing a two-way contract with the Thunder, it allowed him the opportunity to cultivate his skills in the NBA as well as in the G League.
Wiggins’ journey to the Finals has not been a direct one. The 2021 NBA Draft took place in Brooklyn, New York, on June 25. He wanted to go somewhere in the mid-30s or 40s of the second round. Instead, he discovered that he was drafted at the very end, leaving him with a strange sensation, half elation, half despair. Wiggins reflected on that moment, stating, “We’re sitting there watching the draft and there was a lot of mixed emotions.” Even with this first letdown, he had not lost an ounce of appreciation for the chance that was now in front of him.
During his college career at the University of Maryland, Wiggins showcased his potential by averaging 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as a junior in the 2020-21 season. To lock in an opportunity with the Thunder, he needed to show what he could offer over the course of summer league. His stellar play earned him a two-way contract. This new G League opportunity allows him to divide his time between the Thunder and their new affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue.
In his rookie season (2021-22), Wiggins averaged 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 32.9% from beyond the arc over the first 55 games. He took the court in 70 regular season games for the Thunder the next year, earning 14 starts. On top of that, he lost 24 games to develop his craft in the G League.
This work was rewarded during playoff time, as Wiggins found himself in larger roles as the playoffs went on. He played in all seven games against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals and averaged 6.6 points in approximately 14.3 minutes per game. His performance peaked during the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies, where he scored 21 points in Game 1 and averaged 9.1 points across four games in a series sweep.
As they advanced through the playoffs, Wiggins solidified his role further by averaging 12 points and 3.9 rebounds off the bench during their journey to the NBA Finals. This incredible ascent highlighted his knack for jumping on major opportunities when they presented themselves. Wiggins’ teammate Luguentz Dort praised him, saying, “When his name is called, he is always going to be ready.”
And through it all, despite immense success, Wiggins is grounded and leaves the spotlight for his team. He emphasizes trust in God and hard work, stating, “Just trust in God. Do not take things for granted and trust in the process.” It’s not just about passion, he says; perseverance is key. We know there are challenges and detours along the way, but perseverance pays off in the end.
Reflecting on reaching the Finals, Wiggins expressed a profound sense of gratitude: “I sat down for a second because I never thought I’d be able to compete for a Finals championship.” He acknowledges that just making it this far is a blessing: “To have advanced and made it this far alone is a blessing in itself.”
Wiggins’ professional path is a testament to hard work and dedication, both to himself and to the success of the team. He remains focused on contributing positively to the Thunder while trusting in the coaching staff’s decisions regarding playing time and strategy.
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