Thunder promote Nick Collison to special assistant to Sam Presti

Nick Collison has received a promotion.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have decided to name the 40-year-old as the special assistant to General Manager Sam Presti, the team announced.

“In his new role, Collison will continue to enhance his front office acumen while working closely with Presti and other key front office personnel on short-term and long-range initiatives and projects for the Thunder across many facets of basketball operations,” the team said in a news release.

Collison retired in 2018 but has spent the last two seasons as the Basketball Operations Representative for the team’s front office.

The former Kansas Jayhawk spent his entire 14-year-career with the Thunder organization after being drafted 12th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.

In 910 career games, Collison averaged 5.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Collison was the first jersey number retired by the Thunder organization since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. The jersey retirement ceremony occurred in March 2019.

Other former Thunder players who currently have a non-basketball role include “Eric Maynor (Thunder Player Development Coach), Nazr Mohammed (Oklahoma City Blue General Manager/ Thunder Pro Personnel Evaluator), Mike Wilks (Thunder Assistant Coach), and Anthony Morrow, who will serve in the role of Lifestyle Services and Engagement Associate for the 2021-22 season.”