Yardbarker
x
Former Thunder Set to Sign With NBL After Championship Season
© Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder just capped off the best season in their organization's young history by winning the NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder were heavy favorites going into the series and many believed that they would make quick work of the Pacers.

Instead, the Pacers came out swinging as the underdog, just as they had done against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Thunder had finished the regular season with the NBA's best record, giving them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, which would prove crucial over these finals.

Former Thunder set to sign with NBL after Championship season

The Pacers stole Game 1 when Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds remaining. The Thunder took Game 2 to even the series, but the Pacers retook the series lead with a nine-point victory in Game 3.

The Thunder ultimately won the series, but it took the full seven games and clinch the championship in front of their dedicated fans. The thing that made the Thunder so difficult to deal with all season was their depth they used on both ends of the floor.

They had their star players who they relied on for scoring, such as the Most Valuable Player Award winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, but also had players to do the dirty work of defending and scrapping for loose balls like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort.

On Tuesday, the Thunder received news regarding one of their championship players, Alex Ducas, and his future in the NBA.

"BREAKING: Australian wing Alex Ducas is planning to sign with the Brisbane Bullets. Coming off an [NBA] Championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Alex Ducas is set to ink a one-year [NBL] deal with Brisbane at the conclusion of NBA Summer League, per [ESPN basketball insider Olgun Uluc]."

Ducas, an Australian-born player who attended Saint Mary's, played his first and only NBA season with the Thunder this year. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard appeared in 21 games and averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.

Ducas' best NBA game came on January 19 against the Brooklyn Nets when he scored nine points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point land. Now, Ducas will return to Australia an NBA Champion as he prepares for his first NBL season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!