Gators Win: Two Former Players Earn NBA Championship

Oklahoma City Thunder, Mark daigneault, DeVon Walker, Florida Gators, basketball”>

OKLAHOMA CITY, June 23, 2025

Gator Greats Guide OKC

Former Florida staffers Daigneault and walker lead Thunder to victory.

• Mark Daigneault, former Florida staffer, is the head coach of the OKC Thunder.
• DeVon Walker, another Florida alum, serves as the Thunder’s director of advance scouting and player analyst.
• Both were part of two SEC championship teams (2013, 2014) and a Final Four (2014).
• The 2024 and 2025 NBA championships both had ties to the Florida basketball program.

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the NBA championship on Sunday, thanks to leadership with strong ties to the University of Florida. who coached the Oklahoma City Thunder to their recent NBA championship? Mark Daigneault, who spent 2011-14 on the Florida men’s basketball staff, is the Thunder’s head coach.

Daigneault was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2024, setting the stage for this championship run!

From Gainesville to Glory

Adding to the “Gator” flavor is DeVon Walker (2012-16), who serves as the Thunder’s director of advance scouting and player analyst. Both Daigneault and Walker experienced significant success during their time in Gainesville.

They were both part of two SEC championship teams (2013, 2014) and the 2014 Final Four team. Walker’s insights and Daigneault’s coaching clearly contributed to the Thunder’s championship run.

Pro Tip: Building a strong team culture, like Daigneault and Walker did, is crucial for sustained success in any organization.

Daigneault’s Dream Realized

“This was a dream for everybody here at one point in our lives,” Daigneault said in his postgame TV interview Sunday. He added, “There was one point where we didn’t know if we were going to be in the NBA, from players to staff to coaches, and it’s a privilege we’re incredibly grateful for.”

Did you know? The Oklahoma City Thunder won Game 7 to clinch the NBA Finals on Sunday.

Gators in the Finals

The NBA Finals had even more portrayal from the Florida program. andrew Nembhard, who played at UF from 2018-20, averaging 9.5 points and 5.5 assists in 67 games, represented the Indiana Pacers. Mike Weinar (2004-08), former UF manager and current Pacers assistant coach, also played a vital role.

Nembhard averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 assists over the seven-game NBA Finals, proving the Gators’ impact extends beyond the championship-winning Thunder.

Reader Question: What other college programs do you think are consistently producing top-tier NBA talent? Share your thoughts in the comments!

A Continuing Trend

This marks the second straight season that Florida has had ties with the NBA champions. Al Horford won a title with Boston in 2024. In 2022, Chris Chiozza won with Golden State. The Florida program is becoming a consistent pipeline for NBA talent.

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Building a Championship Culture: The Role of Staff

While the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Florida Gators connections are readily apparent,it’s essential to delve deeper into the roles of staff members beyond the head coach. Their contributions often remain unseen, yet they are crucial to the team’s overall performance. This includes everything from player advancement to game strategy to medical support.