The Oklahoma City Blue — the G League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder — held their 2022-23 media day on Wednesday.
New OKC Blue head coach Kam Woods and players Jahm’us Ramsey, Scotty Hopson, DJ Wilson and Abdul Gaddy spoke with the media as they prepare for their season.
The Blue kick off their regular season on Nov. 4 against the G League Ignite. Their home opener is against the Santa Cruz Warriors — the G League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors — on Nov. 10. The Blue are scheduled to play at least 32 games this season.
Here are some of the more noteworthy quotes and paraphrases from the OKC Blue’s media day.
Here at the OKC Blue practice facility for their media day pic.twitter.com/M2cgjaDtU9
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
It’s the OKC Blue roster pic.twitter.com/VZLJk8Pn4W
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Kam Woods is here pic.twitter.com/lylAy3fNne
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Kam Woods on having tenured Blue players like Abdul Gaddy and Scotty Hopson: "Those guys were here when I was an assistant here, so they know me very well… They know the organization and they know what we stand for."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Kam Woods said Summer League gave him a lot of confidence that he can be a head coach and is a major reason why he took the OKC Blue job
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Kam Woods on accepting the OKC Blue HC job: "I just always want to be better and I want to improve… For me, an opportunity came to continue to grow and that's what this opportunity was."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Kam Woods on when he became the OKC Blue HC: "It was really exciting. It was surreal."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Kam Woods: "My kids are like the biggest Blue fans ever."
Said they would ask him about the Blue instead of the Thunder
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Kam Woods on his coaching style: "I think my coaching style is more relaxed."
Mentions that then-Butler HC Brad Stevens would never yell at them — even though they might've deserved it as college kids
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Jahmi’us Ramsey is here pic.twitter.com/YLZZHCeu5b
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Jahmi'us Ramsey said the vibes have been good: "(Kam Woods) is the smoothest coach I've ever had."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Jahmi'us Ramsey on what he's most excited about the OKC Blue roster: "Everyone can play. Everybody."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Scotty Hopson is here pic.twitter.com/tfOPs72o36
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Scotty Hopson said it's "quite a flex" to still be able to play at this level at his age of 33 years old
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Scotty Hopson said the intensity has been pretty high for training camp and that's especially the case whenever the Thunder assign their players to the G League
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Scotty Hopson said he graduated from college recently and majored in communication and will walk in December
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Scotty Hopson said he attended the Tennessee vs Florida game last month, which was his first game since he was in college: "It was incredible."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
DJ Wilson is here pic.twitter.com/H9Cu9nOiCC
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
DJ Wilson on his overview of training camp: "We have a competitive group and bunch."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
DJ Wilson was very complimentary of Ousmane Dieng after previously practicing with him: "He's gonna be good for real."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
DJ Wilson said he sees a lot of similarities between how the Thunder, Raptors and Bucks develop their players: "Those are three organizations that do things the right way."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
DJ Wilson on Jahmi'us Ramsey: "He's a bucket."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Abdul Gaddy is here pic.twitter.com/MORwfeMyqN
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Abdul Gaddy on the OKC Blue roster: "Ton of talent. Lots of young dudes. High level of competitive edge."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Abdul Gaddy on what he likes most about OKC: "The people are amazing here."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Abdul Gaddy on Mark Daigneault: "He's the best coach I've ever had… He has a special gift about him that he can connect with people… I'm certain Sam saw that… His ascend is not surprising to me."
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022
Abdul Gaddy said Kam Woods has a little bit of Mark Daigneault in him with his ability to connect with players
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) November 2, 2022