Nate Johnson, a former Kansas State University guard, has agreed to a one‑year, non‑guaranteed contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team announced on Tuesday.
The 6‑foot‑3 playmaker spent the 2025‑26 season with the Wildcats after three years at Akron, where he posted averages of 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
Stat line that turned heads
Johnson’s impact went beyond the box score. He topped the Wildcats in assists with 146 and in steals with 71, while shooting a career‑best 85.0 percent from the free‑throw line. His all‑around numbers placed him among the rare Big 12 players to crack the 12‑point, 4‑rebound, 4‑assist, 2‑steal threshold.
The guard’s best performance came on February 17, 2026, when he erupted for a career‑high 33 points against Baylor, a game that highlighted his scoring potential.
Beyond the statistics, Johnson’s defensive prowess earned him a spot among the nation’s top thieves, ranking within the top 20 in both total steals and steals per game. His 146 assists also tied for the 10th‑most in a single season in school history.
Off‑court opportunities
The Thunder’s latest addition will also get a taste of the professional scouting environment at the Portsmouth Invitational pre‑draft camp, an invitation that underscores the league’s interest in his skill set.
With the contract being non‑guaranteed, Johnson will look to prove his worth during training camp and preseason action, aiming to secure a larger role on the roster.