Kristian Ferrell
Oklahoma has a rich history of basketball success, with several colleges and universities in the state boasting impressive records. The Oklahoma City Thunder, an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, won its first NBA championship in 2025 after relocating from Seattle, where they had previously won an NBA title in 1979. In addition, Oklahoma's small-college tradition has thrived, with the Southern Nazarene women's team winning six NAIA national championships and other colleges and junior colleges contributing competitive teams and numerous championships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of national basketball titles won by Oklahoma Christian | 2 |
| Year of the wins | 2007 and 2008 |
| Number of conference titles won by OSU | 19 |
| Number of NAIA national championships won by the Southern Nazarene women's team | 6 |
| Years of the wins | 1989 to 2003, with four consecutive wins in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 |
| Number of national amateur championships won by the Phillips 66ers | 8 |
| Years of the wins | 1943-1948 (6 consecutive wins) |
| Number of NCAA conference titles won by OU women | 13 |
| Number of NCAA conference titles won by OSU women | 3 |
| Number of NBA titles won by Oklahoma City Thunder | 1 |
| Year of the win | 2025 |
| Number of NBA titles won by Seattle SuperSonics (before the franchise moved to Oklahoma) | 1 |
| Year of the win | 1979 |
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What You'll Learn
Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA titles
The Oklahoma City Thunders, previously known as the Seattle SuperSonics, have won one NBA Championship in 1979 while they were still based in Seattle. In their 41 seasons as the SuperSonics, they qualified for the NBA playoffs 22 times, won their division six times, and advanced to three NBA Finals.
The franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and was renamed the Oklahoma City Thunders. In the 2009-10 season, the Thunders qualified for their first playoff berth. They won their first division title in the 2010-11 season and their first Western Conference championship in the 2011-12 season. During this time, the team was home to stars such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.
In 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunders won their first NBA Championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. Led by point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's Most Valuable Player, the Thunders defeated the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling seven-game series, with a dominant 103-91 victory in Game 7. This win marked the Thunders' first NBA title since moving to Oklahoma City and made them the seventh different NBA team to win a championship in the past seven years.
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Oklahoma Christian's NAIA championships
Oklahoma has a rich history in basketball, with the state hosting several successful basketball teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder is a professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Western Conference. The Thunder's previous incarnation was the Seattle SuperSonics, which won one NBA title in 1979 and three Western Conference championships in 1978, 1979, and 1996. The SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, and the franchise was renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In addition to the Thunder, Oklahoma has had success in college and university basketball. Oklahoma Christian won national NAIA championships in 2007 and 2008. The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) has also excelled, winning five conference titles and reaching the NAIA Tournament five times. They won the national championship in 2002 under the coaching of Brisco McPherson.
The state's small-college tradition is well-regarded, and other colleges and junior colleges have fielded competitive teams and won numerous championships. Oklahoma's basketball history also includes the success of amateur teams like the Phillips 66ers, who won six straight national amateur championships from 1943 to 1948.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, as the state's only team in the major professional North American sports leagues, has become a focal point of basketball in the state. The Thunder returned to the NBA Finals in 2025 and won their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. Star players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have contributed to the team's success, with Gilgeous-Alexander signing a massive four-year extension with the Thunder in 2025.
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OSU's conference titles
Oklahoma is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City that plays in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Thunder were originally established as the Seattle SuperSonics, an expansion team that joined the NBA for the 1967–68 season. In their 41 seasons in Seattle, the SuperSonics won three Western Conference championships (in 1978, 1979, and 1996) and one NBA title in 1979.
In July 2008, the SuperSonics relocated from Seattle to Oklahoma and were renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the Thunder, they won their first NBA championship in 2025.
In addition to the success of the Thunder, Oklahoma has a strong small-college basketball tradition, with many competitive teams and numerous championships. Oklahoma Christian won national NAIA championships in 2007 and 2008, while the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) has won five conference titles and one NAIA Tournament national championship in 2002. Oklahoma State University (OSU) has captured its conference title nineteen times and has reached the NCAA Final Four six times. OSU's women's team are three-time NCAA conference champions and have been to sixteen NCAA tournaments.
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Phillips 66ers' amateur championships
The Phillips 66ers (also known as the Oilers) were an amateur basketball team located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The team was sponsored and run by the Phillips Petroleum Company, which was established in 1917. In 1919, a group of local individuals in Bartlesville sought employment opportunities at Phillips upon their return from World War I. Inspired by their shared experiences, they decided to create a basketball team under the Phillips banner.
The 66ers began playing in 1919 and participated in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the nation's premier basketball league before the National Basketball Association. The team won 11 national AAU championships between 1940 and 1963, including six consecutive AAU titles from 1943 to 1948. The 66ers were a dominant force in AAU basketball in the 1940s and 1950s, attracting top talent and achieving impressive records.
In the 1920s, the standout player for the team was Paul Endacott, a former college star at Kansas who earned recognition as the AAU Player of the Year in 1923. Endacott joined the 66ers in 1927 as a Phillips employee and brought his talents to the team. In 1946, former Oklahoma A&M (OSU) star Bob Kurland joined the team, further enhancing their popularity and power. Kurland led the 66ers to impressive records in the 1946-47 and 1947-48 seasons, with huge crowds thronging to see them play.
The Phillips 66ers also dominated the 1948 Olympic trials, beating the NCAA champion Kentucky Wildcats to qualify several of their players for the Olympic team. This victory also made Phillips coach Bud Browning the head coach of the Olympic squad. The 66ers' success continued, and they won 11 out of 14 championships organized by the NIBL from 1947 to 1961. During their 47-season history (1921-1968), the 66ers recorded a remarkable 1543-271 record and were represented by 12 players and two coaches in Olympic competition.
The Phillips 66ers were an amateur basketball dynasty, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport and contributing to the development of basketball in Oklahoma and beyond.
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OU women's NCAA conference wins
The Oklahoma City Thunder is a professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The Thunder's previous incarnation, the Seattle SuperSonics, were formed in 1967 and won one NBA title in 1979, in addition to three Western Conference championships.
Now, focusing on women's basketball in Oklahoma, the sport came to college campuses relatively late but experienced rapid growth over the subsequent decades. The OU women's basketball team has been extremely successful, winning the NCAA conference 13 times and reaching three Final Fours under the leadership of renowned coach Sherri Coale, who guided the team from 1996 to 2021. This impressive record solidifies the OU women's team as a dominant force in NCAA women's basketball.
In addition to the success of the OU women, Oklahoma State University's women's basketball team has also excelled, claiming the NCAA conference championship three times and participating in 16 NCAA tournaments. Small colleges in Oklahoma have also thrived in women's basketball. Notably, the Southern Nazarene women's team dominated the NAIA national championships, securing six titles between 1989 and 2003, including four consecutive wins from 1994 to 1997.
Women's basketball in Oklahoma has a rich history, with teams across the state achieving remarkable success in various tournaments and divisions. The state's commitment to the sport has fostered the development of talented players and established a strong foundation for women's basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Oklahoma has won multiple national basketball titles. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA Finals in 2025, and previously in 1979 when the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
Oklahoma has two NBA national titles. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA Finals in 2025, and the Seattle SuperSonics (the previous incarnation of the Thunder) won in 1979.
Oklahoma Christian won national NAIA championships in 2007 and 2008. The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) also won the NAIA Tournament national championship in 2002.
The Phillips 66ers, an AAU dynasty, won six straight national amateur championships from 1943 to 1948, and eight overall.
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