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Ex-Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson signs with Oklahoma City Thunder
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- Ex-Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson signs with Oklahoma City Thunder
Former Akron Zips guard and Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Nate Johnson , will sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the one-time NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder , according to a report.
Johnson was named league's player of the year for the 2024-25 season after leading the Zips to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
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In three seasons with the Zips, Johnson averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and two assists in 92 games. In the 2025 season he led the team to a 28-7 record and tournament appearance.
Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34) plants a kiss on the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship trophy at Rocket Arena on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
After initially saying he would return to the Zips to play the 2025-26 season, he elected to transfer to play for the Kansas State Wildcats.
He averaged 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds with the team last season.
What is an Exhibit 10 contract in the NBA?
Those numbers were good enough to give Johnson a shot in the NBA.
An Exhibit 10 contract is non-guaranteed and includes an invitation to training camp and an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. If he impresses, but doesn't make the final roster, the Thunder would be able to convert the deal to a two-way contract that would allow him to split time between the NBA G League and the NBA.
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George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ex-Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson signs with Oklahoma City Thunder
