NBA champs draft pick comes from HBCU hoops family
Thomas Sorber is officially heading to the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the 16th overall pick in the NBA Draft. But there's more to Sorber's story than his draft night. His family has a deep connection to HBCU basketball.
The Sorber family's journey began with hope and hard work. Thomas's parents immigrated to the United States from Liberia. They escaped civil war in search of a better life.
His mother, Tenneh, raised three children after the death of her husband, Peter Sr., in 2013. She worked long, difficult hours to keep the family strong. Her dedication helped Thomas and his siblings chase their dreams.
Thomas's older brother,Peter Sorber, also made his mark in basketball. Peter started his college career at Morgan State University, an HBCU known for its proud athletic tradition. After two years, he transferred to Lincoln University (PA), where he became a standout forward.
Peter thrived at Lincoln. He even won an Athlete of the Week award in his senior season. Inspired by NBA star Kevin Durant, Peter built his game with passion and focus.
Thomas's oldest sibling, Regina Sorber, was the first to shine on the court. She played for Alabama A&M University, another respected HBCU. Her time as a student-athlete helped pave the way for her brothers.
Thomas Sorber now enters the NBA, but his family's legacy will always be tied to HBCU basketball. His journey is a story of resilience, heritage, and pride.
As he takes his next step with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sorber carries the strength of his family and the power of their HBCU legacy.
The post NBA champs draft pick comes from HBCU hoops family appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
‘Chinese Jokic' Yang Hansen selected at 16th pick at NBA draft by Portland Trail Blazers
Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen turned 20 on Thursday, but the best birthday gift he could ask for arrived a day earlier: putting on the NBA draft cap after being picked in the first round. Most observers projected the Chinese center would go in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft, so the Portland Trail Blazers' decision to select him with the 16th overall pick shocked the crowd at New York's Barclays Center, and delighted Chinese fans watching back at home on a weekday morning. 'Hello, NBA! My name is Hansen Yang!' he posted on the X-like social media platform Weibo. While that name might not yet be familiar to many in the United States, the 7'2' Yang is already well known across China. He now carries the country's hopes of seeing another homegrown player make waves in the NBA. Twenty-three years ago today, Yao Ming was selected as the No.1 overall pick, the start of his legendary NBA journey with the Houston Rockets. Comparing Yang to Yao may be premature, but he has already shown capability at both ends of court with his vision, rebounding, and three-point shooting. Yang's home club the Qingdao Eagles congratulated him on social media and described his selection as 'a pride for Chinese basketball.' The 'Chinese Nikola Jokic' became the first player from his country selected at the NBA draft in nearly a decade, following the 2016 picks of Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi (the former never actually playing in the US, and the latter managing one season as a bit-part player.) Yang started his Chinese Basketball Association career with Qingdao in 2023. He was named the league's Rookie of the Year and All-Star starter in both of the past two seasons, notching an average of 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3 assists last season. He made his international debut in February 2024 at the age of 18 and has been a regular since then. At the NBA Draft Combine, he was measured in with a 7'3'' wingspan and a standing reach of 9'3''. The last Chinese player to make the NBA was Cui Yongxi. After going undrafted, Cui signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets last season, playing five regular-season games before an injury. At a press conference before the draft, Hall of Famer Yao had some advice for Yang and other young Chinese talents dreaming of the NBA. 'No matter what the outcome of tomorrow's draft is, it's important to remember one thing: the draft is just a small part of their entire career, or even their life,' he said. 'What really matters is the path they take afterward.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: How Kevin Durant trade saga impacts Jonathan Kuminga
The post NBA rumors: How Kevin Durant trade saga impacts Jonathan Kuminga appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the speculation around a possible sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga, there is more reason to believe that the status of star Kevin Durant will heavily impact the uncertainty around the Golden State Warriors' star. While Kuminga seems to have a harsh reality of a dwindling trade market due to other pursuits by teams, among other reasons, this remains true with the current chain of events relating to Durrant. Advertisement Per the latest report from Jake Fischer on 'The Stein Line,' he would speak on how the incoming restricted free agent's future is 'clouded' because of Durant, and until that is concluded, it would be hard to project further interest. Fischer cites the Miami Heat as one team that could look to Kuminga if they cannot get Durant, since they are one of the franchises in active pursuit. 'The immediate future of Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga would appear to be even more clouded by Durant uncertainty than DeRozan's,' Fischer wrote. 'There have been no tangible rumblings to this point that Brooklyn — which is the NBA's lone team on course to have significant salary cap space this summer — has plans to pursue Kuminga with the Nets' projected $55 million in operating room.' 'Trying to forecast sign-and-trade scenarios that could potentially materialize for the bouncy 22-year-old swingman will thus be difficult to pinpoint until Durant's situation is settled,' Fischer continued. 'Maybe Miami, for example, would make a sign-and-trade run at Kuminga in the event that the Heat don't win the trade race to acquire the league's No. 8 all-time leading scorer. Sources say Miami has registered a level of interest in Kuminga in previous transaction cycles.' Prior interest in Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Even though ultimately Kuminga will look for the best path possible for a hopeful long career, it does seem that there will have to be patience on his end. The Heat have been mentioned as a team with interest for Kuminga beforehand by ClutchPoints' NBA Insider Brett Siegel, who also mentioned the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls. Advertisement 'The Nets, along with the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat, are three teams with preliminary interest in Kuminga ahead of free agency, sources said,' Siegel wrote. 'Both Kuminga and the Warriors could come to an understanding on a new, fair contract, but the idea of exploring sign-and-trade opportunities seems like the best path for both parties.' Michael Scotto of HoopsHype would also mention those teams, but also put out the 'possibility' that Kuminga remains with the Warriors, despite some signs pointing to a departure. 'Kuminga is looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward, league sources told HoopsHype,' Scotto wrote. 'The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype. With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga, sources said.' At any rate, it remains to be seen what Kuminga's future looks like, but fans will likely know more once Durant is dealt soon. Related: 2025 NBA Draft prospects most likely to slide on draft day Related: Sources: Lakers, Jazz have talked Rui Hachimura, John Collins trade
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Bulls showed Jonathan Kuminga interest in prior star trade talks
The post NBA rumors: Bulls showed Jonathan Kuminga interest in prior star trade talks appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the rumors swirling around Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga and what his future will look like, there seems to be a general expectation of what the final destination will be. As it appears Kevin Durant's status has impacted Kuminga's trade market in some facets, there has been one team that has been present within the past several seasons with the star. Advertisement Jake Fischer wrote for 'The Stein Line' that the 'most likely outcome' for Kuminga is that he remains with Golden State as he is set to become a restricted free agent. However, Fischer would point out that Chicago has had 'ongoing interest' in the 22-year-old and that they've been active in trade discussions for him 'over the past two seasons.' 'None of those teams, though, have been mentioned to date as potential destinations for Kuminga,' Fischer wrote. 'It does seem, at this juncture, that the most likely outcome for the Warriors' restricted free agent swingman is a return to Golden State.' 'However…Sources say that Chicago has an ongoing interest in the 22-year-old forward,' Fischer continued. 'This tracks with past interest that the Bulls have shown in Kuminga in previous trade discussions with Golden State over the past two seasons involving players such as Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vučević.' The Bulls' connection to Jonathan Kuminga has been well-known Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images The Bulls being connected to Kuminga isn't new, as Fischer pointed out, as ClutchPoints' NBA insider Brett Siegel mentioned in May that the team, along with the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets, have 'preliminary interest' in the swingman. Advertisement 'The Nets, along with the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat, are three teams with preliminary interest in Kuminga ahead of free agency, sources said,' Siegel wrote. 'Both Kuminga and the Warriors could come to an understanding on a new, fair contract, but the idea of exploring sign-and-trade opportunities seems like the best path for both parties.' As Fischer would continue, Kuminga's future could look a little clearer once Durant is traded and on a new team, which would bring a shift to the plan's other teams. This includes Miami, which is in active pursuit of Durant, and if the team is unable to land him, the front office could look to Kuminga. 'The reality for Kuminga is that a clearer read on his summer landscape is unlikely to reveal itself until Kevin Durant's trade future is resolved and the NBA's most accomplished scoring forward, widely regarded as available, has a new team,' Fischer wrote. 'There is a belief among some rival teams, for example, that Miami could emerge as a potential Kuminga suitor — among various guards and swingmen that the Heat could target — if Pat Riley and Co. do not win the Durant Trade Sweepstakes.' It remains to be seen where Kuminga ends up this summer, as many finalities seem to be in play. Related: NBA rumors: The Jalen Green 'poison pill' that will delay finalizing Kevin Durant trade Related: Kevin Durant trade grades for Rockets, Suns after blockbuster deal
