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Wallace, Johnson thrilled to build in OKC
sports
July 5, 2023
Wallace, Johnson thrilled to build in OKC
By Nick Gallo OKCTHUNDER.COM,

Inside a 92-year-old landmark in downtown Oklahoma City sat two young men with a combined age of 42. Oklahoma City Thunder newcomers Cason Wallace and Keyontae Johnson’s first official stop in their National Basketball Association careers came at the historic First National Center on June 24, where six years of renovation brought a collapsing relic into a stunning refurbishment.

It was a fitting location for the Thunder rookies’ introductory press conference, as both players will be tasked with the same hard hat mentality that the team has exhibited over the last few years. Building something from the ground up takes time. While teammates have laid groundwork, Wallace and Johnson will have to bring a like-minded approach to the business of elevating the Thunder to new heights.

Wallace and Johnson’s families were in attendance alongside Thunder staff, media and five Community Draft Picks — people from the Oklahoma City area who are making an impact in their own way. Dressed in pristine suits, Wallace and Johnson stepped to the podium with Thunder Executive Vice President Sam Presti honored and grateful to be the two newest members of the Thunder family. After an opening statement from Presti, answering questions from media and holding up their jerseys for the very first time, Wallace and Johnson had a chance to catch their breath and soak up the whirlwind of the last 48 hours.

During last week’s 2023 NBA Draft, the Thunder moved from the 12th to 10th pick to select Wallace, who is originally from Hamilton Park, Tex., which is less than three hours away from the site of Saturday’s press conference.

“It meant a lot to me knowing that they believed in me, that they saw something in me that I might not have seen in myself, and I thank them that I’m a part of this great organization, wonderful city and great fan base,” Wallace said.

Johnson had to wait 40 more picks before his name was called by the Thunder with the 50th selection, but his start in the NBA couldn’t be any sweeter given what he had to overcome to get here. Back in 2020 when he was at the University of Florida, Johnson collapsed on the floor and was put into a medically- induced coma due to a cardiac incident. Two years later, Johnson was back on the floor but with Kansas State University, where he was able to finish his college career in inspiring fashion before being drafted.

“It’s a dream come true — surreal,” said Johnson, who was an all-conference performer with the Wildcats just like he was with the Gators.

“(Johnson) is someone that has gotten better and better and better,” Presti said. “I think everybody understands his story is all about perseverance, resilience and bounce back. You can’t put into words what his story means. It crosses and transcends sports. (It’s) incredible that he’s here today.”

Presti and the Thunder’s front office saw both players frequently over the last few years and have a good handle not just on their games, but their personalities and how their approach to the game will match what the Thunder is constructing. Competitiveness, physicality, two-way impact and the ability to play off of teammates are going to be critical values for all five players on the floor for the Thunder, and Presti noted that in selecting Wallace at 10, the Thunder is getting many of those qualities, but ones he must continue investing in with his work in the team’s development program.

“Cason is a quintessential two-way player, somebody that we are really excited to have,” Presti said. “He plays no-agenda basketball, and that’s one of the things that really attracted us to him. This guy got drafted in the Top-10 by just being an incredible team player, a guy that makes the right play all the time, and I think that’s a great lesson for a lot of young players out there.”

The new Thunder duo had a chance to soak up that weekend’s special time with their families, but before they knew it, the time came to hit the ground running with some of their new teammates. This week, the Thunder will get together informally to prepare for Summer League in Salt Lake City, which started Monday and ends Thursday before heading out to Las Vegas from July 7-17. While Thunder teammates have already reached out to Wallace and Johnson to congratulate them and welcome them to the group, they’ll get figurative and literal arms around their shoulders soon.

“Being on the outside looking in, you can see how much the players enjoy being here,” Wallace said. “On the court, they are always having fun. They look like they are free. They are out there and they all look like they’re together.”

“I could tell the connection the team had, just seeing how much the guys really respect each other,” Johnson said.

Oklahoma City Thunder 2023 National Basketball Association Draft picks Keyontae Johnson, left, and Cason Wallace, right, share a moment with Thunder Executive Vice President Sam Presti during June 24’s press conference at the historic First National Center.

Rustic Rumble held Saturday, winners released
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Rustic Rumble held Saturday, winners released
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
October 15, 2025
The first annual Rustic Rumble Muscle Car Show was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Rustic Cantina in Vian. Jason Carter, owner of the Rustic Cantina, said a total of 35 high-octane muscle ...
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Gore motorcyclist dies after being struck by motorist
Main, news...
Gore motorcyclist dies after being struck by motorist
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
October 15, 2025
A Gore motorcyclist was killed after being struck last Saturday afternoon on U.S. 64 by a Sallisaw man who left the scene, but later returned and confessed to hitting him. Sallisaw Police said Jimmy E...
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Main, news...
Webbers Falls approves police hires, discuss senior nutrition program
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
October 15, 2025
The Webbers Falls Board of Trustees met in special session on Sept. 17 to discuss improvements to the town’s senior nutrition program and approve the hiring of two fulltime police officers. Shannon Tu...
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Vian High School Wolverines host homecoming of homecomings
Main, news...
Vian High School Wolverines host homecoming of homecomings
October 15, 2025
Vian High School hosted their homecoming festivities on Friday night prior to the Wolverines’ 49-14 win over Atoka. Homecoming royalty consisted of (in no particular order): Brooklyn Herod, Academic T...
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Mayor’s Choice awarded
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Mayor’s Choice awarded
October 15, 2025
Gore Mayor Robin Henry (right) presents the Mayor’s Choice Award to Gary Cunningham and his Trans Am during the recent car show in Gore.
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Rising to the challenge
lifestyle
Rising to the challenge
October 15, 2025
Vian Elementary Gifted and Talented students recently competed with each other in a STEM activity. They were challenged to work as a team of engineers to see who could create the tallest free standing...
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Taryn takes Senior Division
lifestyle
Taryn takes Senior Division
October 15, 2025
Congratulations to Taryn Trennepohl on winning the Senior Division of the 4-H Floraculture Design Contest at the Tulsa State Fair, which challenges students to create floral designs judged on both cre...
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news
Learn how to play pickleball this fall
October 15, 2025
Sequoyah County fall pickleball will take place each Tuesday in October from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vian Community Building, located at Armstrong Park, one mile north of Vian on Hwy. 82. Drop in and learn...
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’Tis the deer season
commentary
’Tis the deer season
By Editor Amie Cato-Remer AROUND TOWN 
October 15, 2025
It’s getting close to that time of the year when the men in our county start itching– itching to get into the woods to set out their deer feeders and stands, and select their next hunting spot. I’m a ...
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Gore’s 4-H students learn about local government
news
Gore’s 4-H students learn about local government
October 15, 2025
Gore 4-H members spent National 4-H Week learning how local government works — right inside the Sequoyah County Courthouse in Sallisaw. Students sat in on the County Commissioners meeting, met Distric...
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Webbers Falls School hosts homecoming
lifestyle
Webbers Falls School hosts homecoming
October 15, 2025
Webbers Falls Public School celebrated their homecoming festivities on Friday night, crowning their 2025-26 homecoming king and queen. Pictured in the front row are crown bearers and flower girls (fro...
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