Oklahoma City Blue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oklahoma City Blue
Conference	Western
League	NBA G League
Founded	2001
History	Asheville Altitude 2001–2005 Tulsa 66ers 2005–2014 Oklahoma City Blue 2014–present
Arena	Paycom Center
Location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Team colors	Blue, sunset, navy blue, yellow
General manager	D. J. White
Head coach	Kameron Woods
Ownership	Professional Basketball Club LLC
Affiliation(s)	Oklahoma City Thunder
Championships	3 (2004, 2005, 2024)
Conference titles	3 (2004, 2017, 2024)
Division titles	4 (2003, 2017, 2018, 2019)

The Oklahoma City Blue is a professional basketball team from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They are connected to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team in the main NBA league. The Blue plays in the NBA G League, which is like a development league for the NBA. They play their home games at the Paycom Center, the same arena as the Thunder.

The team started in 2001 as the Asheville Altitude in North Carolina. They won two championships in a row in 2004 and 2005. This made them the first team to win back-to-back titles in the league. Because not many fans came to their games, the team moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2005. There, they were known as the Tulsa 66ers for nine seasons.

Before the 2014–15 season, the team moved again to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is when they became the Oklahoma City Blue. The Blue is one of the oldest teams still playing in the NBA G League. They are also the oldest team to have won a championship and still be in the league.

Team History

Asheville Altitude (2001–2005)

The team began in 2001 when the NBA started a new league. It was called the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) at first. Asheville, North Carolina was chosen as one of the first eight cities for a team.

The team hired Joey Meyer as their coach. In their first season (2001–02), the Altitude had a record of 26 wins and 30 losses. Even though they won two championships in their last two seasons, not many people came to watch their games. The arena could hold 5,000 fans, but often only dozens showed up. After the 2004–05 season, the team was sold and moved to a new city.

Tulsa 66ers (2005–2014)

Before the 2005–06 season, the league expanded to the southwest United States. Tulsa, Oklahoma was chosen as a new home city. The team was bought by a group called Southwest Basketball, LLC. They moved the team to Tulsa and renamed them the Tulsa 66ers. This name honored U.S. Route 66, a famous road that goes through Tulsa and Oklahoma.

In 2005, the NBA started a new system for its development league. Teams in the NBDL would be connected to NBA teams. The 66ers were first linked with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and New Orleans Hornets. Later, the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks also became affiliates.

On August 1, 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder bought the 66ers. The Thunder became only the third NBA team to own a G League team. This meant the Thunder had full control over the 66ers' games and business. The 66ers became the only team linked to the Thunder.

Oklahoma City Blue (2014–present)

After looking at different places, the team decided to move to Oklahoma City. Starting with the 2014–15 season, the 66ers played at the Cox Convention Center. This building was right across the street from the Chesapeake Energy Arena, where the Thunder played. The team's offices also moved into the Chesapeake Energy Arena. With this move, the team changed its name from the 66ers to the Blue.

In the 2016–17 season, the Blue had a great year. They won 34 games, which was a record for the team. This made them the champions of the Western Conference in the regular season.

In 2021, the Cox Convention Center was rented out to a film company. So, the Blue moved into the Paycom Center. This is the same arena where their main team, the Thunder, plays.

2023–2024: First Championship in Oklahoma City

In the 2023–24 season, the Blue finished with 21 wins and 13 losses. This allowed them to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2018–19 season. They were the third seed in the playoffs.

The Blue won their first playoff game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Ousmane Dieng scored the winning shot in overtime. Then, they beat the Sioux Falls Skyforce to reach the conference finals. This was their first time in the conference finals since 2019.

In the conference finals, they played against the top-seeded Stockton Kings. The Blue played very well and won the game 114–107. This sent them to the G League Finals for the second time in team history.

In the best-of-three championship series, the Blue played the Maine Celtics. Each team won a game at home, making the series tied 1-1. In the final game, the Blue took an early lead. They kept playing strong and won the game 117–100. This was the team's first championship since moving to Oklahoma City. It was also their first championship as the only team linked to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ousmane Dieng was named the NBA G League Finals MVP for his amazing performance.

Ousmane Dieng was named the NBA G League Finals MVP in 2024.

Season-by-Season Records

This table shows how the team has performed each season. It includes their wins, losses, and how far they went in the playoffs.

Players and Coaches

Current Roster

Team Coaches

This table lists the coaches who have led the team throughout its history.

NBA Affiliations

This section shows which NBA teams the Blue (and its past names) have been connected with.

Asheville Altitude

• None

Tulsa 66ers

• Chicago Bulls (2005–2006)
• Dallas Mavericks (2007–2008)
• Indiana Pacers (2005–2006)
• Milwaukee Bucks (2005–2008)
• New Orleans Hornets (2005–2007)
• New York Knicks (2006–2008)
• Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2014)

Oklahoma City Blue

• Oklahoma City Thunder (2014–present)

See also

In Spanish: Oklahoma City Blue para niños