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)

The Oklahoma City Blue is a professional basketball team. They are based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This team is connected to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a famous NBA team. 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 Asheville, 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. There, they were known as the Tulsa 66ers for nine seasons. In 2014, the team moved again to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Blue. They are one of the oldest teams still playing in the NBA G League. They are also the oldest team to have won a championship in the league.

Team History: From Asheville to Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City Blue has a long history with different names and locations. Let's explore how they became the team they are today.

Asheville Altitude: Early Years and Championships (2001–2005)

The team began in 2001 as the Asheville Altitude. This was when the National Basketball Development League (now NBA G League) was first created. Asheville, North Carolina was one of the first eight cities to get a team. The Altitude played their first season in 2001–02.

In their first season, the Altitude won 26 games and lost 30. They finished sixth in the league. A player named Paul Grant was chosen for the league's All-NBDL Second Team. After two seasons, the Altitude won back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005. Even with this success, not many people came to 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: A New Home and NBA Connections (2005–2014)

Before the 2005–06 season, the league expanded to the southwest. Tulsa, Oklahoma was chosen as a new city for a team. The Asheville Altitude team moved there and changed its name to the Tulsa 66ers. This name honored U.S. Route 66, a famous road that goes through Tulsa.

In 2005, the National Basketball Association (NBA) started a new system. NBA teams would connect with D-League teams. The 66ers became linked with several NBA teams. These included the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and New Orleans Hornets. Later, the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks also became affiliates.

In 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder bought the 66ers. This made the Thunder one of the first NBA teams to own a D-League team. The Thunder took full control of the 66ers' operations. The 66ers then became the only team affiliated with the Thunder.

Oklahoma City Blue: Moving to the Big City (2014–Present)

In 2014, the 66ers moved again, this time to Oklahoma City. They started playing at the Cox Convention Center. This arena was right across the street from the Chesapeake Energy Arena (now Paycom Center). That's where the Oklahoma City Thunder plays. With the move, the team changed its name to the Oklahoma City Blue. Their offices are now in the same building as the Thunder's. In the 2016–17 season, the Blue had a great year. They won 34 games, which was a team record at the time.

In 2021, the Cox Convention Center was used for film production. So, the Blue moved into the Paycom Center. This is the same arena where their parent team, the Thunder, plays.

First Championship in Oklahoma City (2023–2024)

The 2023–24 season was very exciting for the Blue. They finished the regular season with 21 wins and 13 losses. This earned them a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2019. As the third seed, they won a close overtime game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Ousmane Dieng scored the winning basket.

Next, they beat the Sioux Falls Skyforce to reach the conference finals. This was their first time in the conference finals since 2019. They then faced the top-seeded Stockton Kings. The Blue played very well and won 114–107. This sent them to their second-ever G League Finals.

In the finals, they played against the Maine Celtics in a best-of-three series. The teams split the first two games. In the final game, the Blue took an early lead. They kept playing strong and won the championship 117–100! This was their first championship since becoming the only team linked to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ousmane Dieng was named the Finals MVP. He scored 25 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and had 4 assists in the final game.

Season-by-Season Performance

This table shows how the team has performed each season. It includes their wins, losses, and playoff results.

Players and Coaches

This section introduces the people who play for and coach the Oklahoma City Blue.

Current Roster

Coaches Through the Years

Here's a look at the coaches who have led the team throughout its history.

NBA Team Connections

The G League teams often work with NBA teams. Here are the NBA teams that have been connected to the Blue throughout its history.

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)

Images for kids

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  Ousmane Dieng was named NBA G League Finals MVP.

See also

In Spanish: Oklahoma City Blue para niños