Aaron Wiggins' Rise from Draft Day Long Shot to NBA Finals Impact Player
Talking about Aaron Wiggins right now just feels right — because the story of how he got here, playing meaningful minutes for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals, is honestly remarkable.
Imagine this: you’re the 55th pick in the draft — not even guaranteed to make a roster. That’s where Wiggins started in 2021. He wasn’t a flashy name on draft night. He didn’t come in with top-pick hype. But here he is, four years later, an essential part of the deepest roster in the league, helping the Thunder go toe-to-toe with the Indiana Pacers on the NBA’s biggest stage.
Wiggins played his college ball at Maryland, averaging about 11 points and 4.6 rebounds over three seasons. He showed flashes — smooth shooting, athleticism, solid defense. But inconsistency made scouts hesitant. When OKC took a shot on him late in the second round, it wasn’t with huge expectations. Yet Wiggins turned that opportunity into a platform. No G-League stints, no detours. He stepped straight into the fire and kept improving.
Also Read:- Greta Thunberg's Gaza Voyage Sparks Global Standoff at Sea
- "Eureka Day Shines Bright at the 2025 Tony Awards"
This season? His best yet. He played in 76 games, averaged 12 points, shot nearly 49% from the field, over 38% from three, and more than 83% from the line. Quietly efficient, always ready, always professional. That consistency paid off with a five-year, $47 million contract — and now, a shot at a championship.
But what I love about Aaron Wiggins’ story is the mindset. Early on, his high school coach told him: “Are the checks coming on time? Then run to the corner.” That stuck with him. He embraced his role — whether he got five minutes or thirty — and just stayed ready. Some nights he’s starting, others he’s playing key bench minutes, but he’s always making the most of it. That’s rare.
He’s part of a Thunder rotation that includes MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rising star Chet Holmgren, and the electric Jalen Williams — but Wiggins adds glue. Defense, timely scoring, composure. In Game 2 of the Finals, with the Thunder needing to bounce back after a gut-punch loss in Game 1, Wiggins helped keep the bench unit rolling while SGA took control.
And let’s be honest — for a guy drafted 55th, playing in the Finals and dropping 40-point games during the season? That’s storybook stuff. The guy even became the subject of a random meme after he was drafted — “Aaron Wiggins saved basketball.” No one really knows what it means, but it’s legendary in OKC Reddit circles now.
So yeah, Wiggins might not be the face of the franchise, but he’s the kind of player every contender needs — humble, hungry, and capable of changing a game when it matters most. He didn’t just survive in the NBA. He’s thriving, and the Thunder are reaping the rewards.
Read More:
0 Comments