After being drafted 15th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thomas Sorber will miss Summer League action as he continues recovering from a season-ending toe injury.
The Oklahoma City Thunder made a splash in the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting 6-foot-10 Georgetown center Thomas Sorber with the 15th overall pick. Highly touted for averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game as a freshman, Sorber was on track for a standout rookie campaign—until a mid-season foot injury changed the narrative.
On February 15, Sorber suffered a turf-toe injury during a game against Butler, which led to a surgical procedure on February 26 to address the issue and end his college season early . Despite showing promising signs of recovery, Thunder GM Sam Presti confirmed on June 29 that Sorber would not participate in either the Salt Lake City or Las Vegas Summer League, citing his ongoing “return-to-performance phase” and the physical strain of continued travel.
Because Sorber’s surgery was on soft tissue—not bone—it’s unlikely to pose long-lasting structural issues. However, the Thunder are opting to ease him back gently, choosing careful rehabilitation over instant exposure against Summer League competition . Oklahoma City even listed him on the summer roster, suggesting he may join practices or team activities, even if he won’t hit the court in games
Sorber is a modern big man—offensively versatile, defensively active, and strong in screen-and-roll situations. With a 7-foot-6 wingspan and averages of 14.5/8.5/2.0 (points/rebounds/blocks), he fits the mold of players the Thunder have coveted. As a freshman draftee, he becomes the first one-and-done player from Georgetown to be drafted in the first round . The Thunder, fresh off their first NBA championship, view him as a complementary piece to Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, with potential to mature into a reliable rotation big.
Thunder fans will likely have to wait until training camp or preseason to get a first real look at Sorber in full basketball form. In the meantime, he’ll follow his carefully constructed rehab program designed to delay gratification now and build long-term payoff .
Thomas Sorber’s journey—undeterred by injury—has led him from Georgetown’s standout freshman to Oklahoma City’s 15th overall pick. While the Summer League will be undramatic without him, patience is the strategy the Thunder believe in, hoping his delayed start will fuel a stronger finish when real games begin. Expect his debut to be worth the wait.
