OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- Arkansas' Michael Qualls III doesn't have to worry anymore. Great hands in Oklahoma City Thunder GM have picked him up to kickstart the forward's NBA career.

Qualls went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft in Brooklyn last Thursday after having a stellar 2014-2015 season and NCAA Tournament for the Razorbacks. This addition of the 21 year-old, 6'6" shooting guard will certainly add depth to this OKC roster, in which the 2 and 3 slots probably are the thinnest. Kevin Durant is the only guarantee at either of those two positions.

As a junior last season at Arkansas, Qualls had his best college year, scoring 15.9 points per game while also grabbing 5.3 rebounds per game. His style resembles that of a forward, but his size and athletic ability allow him to play as a guard, despite his lack of skill in distribution of the basketball. Qualls had decent efficiency shooting from the floor, netting a 43.6 percent FG conversion rate and knocking down exactly one out of every three attempts of his beyond-the-arc. 

Oklahoma City have been looking for more and more depth at this shooting guard role alongside Russell Westbrook, and this signing has just added more to the toss-up for new coach Billy Donovan about who to start in that role. Unlike the Thunder's former coach Scott Brooks, Donovan may not only start a defensive specialist at the 2. This makes it harder for Andre Roberson to remain a starter, and opens up opportunity for first-round draftee Cameron Payne, veteran guards D.J. Augustin and Anthony Morrow, and on-and-off scoring swingman Dion Waiters. 

Qualls' draft stock fell after he sustained a torn ACL during a workout with the Phoenix Suns, so he will be out for 6-12 months with that severe injury. He is best known for a game-winning dunk against Kentucky in 2014.

The former Razorback will have to prove his worth to keep a spot on this OKC roster once he returns from his knee ailment.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Zach Drapkin
Philadelphia-based journalist with expertise in basketball, football, and soccer/fútbol.