Who is Connor Johnson? Learn more on OKC Thunder's 2025 Las Vegas Summer League coach
The Thunder have several interesting names. Despite being the NBA champions, they have a blue-chip prospect ready to suit up and other players ready to make an immediate impact. Nikola Topic, Ajay Mitchell and Brooks Barnhizer are the top billing names of OKC's Summer League roster.
The low-stakes environment also helps assistant coaches get some head coach reps. As usual, the Thunder split the Summer League head coach duties between two. Daniel Dixon coached the three Utah games and Connor Johnson will coach the five-plus Vegas games.
Here's a quick get-to-know-you piece on Johnson and his journey to being a Thunder assistant coach:
Johnson's Philly start
After being a Villanova graduate assistant, Johnson jumped to the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. Like most coaches, he had his start as a Sixers video coordinator in 2014. He eventually became the Director of Player Development and Coaching Administration.
Under Sixers head coach Brett Brown, Johnson stayed on in Philadelphia for four years from 2014-18. He then received a new opportunity within the organization, eerily similar to a lot of the Thunder's current staff.
Johnson as G League coach
Johnson was given the chance to be the G League's Delaware Blue Coats' head coach from 2018-21. He led the Blue Coats to a 2021 G League Championship appearance in his final season. He finished with a 53-55 regular-season record in his time there.
Mark Daigneault, Grant Gibbs and Kam Woods are all OKC coaches who've had time spent as a G League head coach. While not with the OKC Blue, Johnson has that unique experience shared with them.
Johnson goes to OKC
After he left the G League, Johnson joined the Thunder in 2021. He's been in OKC for five seasons now. He started off as a program development assistant from 2021-23. He recently joined the Thunder's bench as an assistant in 2023.
Johnson will get to coach the Thunder's Summer League squad for the first time. He will have at least five games to work with in Las Vegas.
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