Oklahoma City Thunder: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

9. Fred Brown (SG) — No. 6 pick in 1971 NBA Draft

Career stats:  963 GP, 14.6 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 47.8 FG%, 37.3 3P%, 85.8 FT%

In 1971, the Seattle Supersonics picked Fred Brown out of the University of Iowa in the first round at pick No. 6.

Brown played his whole career in Seattle, making the NBA All-Star game once in 1976. That season he averaged 23.1 points per game, which was the highest scoring average in any season of his career.

He was a pivotal part of the Sonics during the 70’s when they won a championship in 1979. Brown was known for his deep range. It was said that he could shoot from anywhere — even the locker room.

There was one small problem. Brown played in the era where there was no 3-point line. It took eight years into Brown’s career before it implemented. The first year he played with the 3-point line, he shot 44 percent from 3 but he was only able to average 12 points a game.

Back in the day the 3-point shot was not as vital as it is in this day and age. The game was nowhere near as perimeter-oriented, and superstar big men like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ruled the court during those days.

Brown was efficient from the court. His 32.8 percent shooting from the field in his rookie year is his lowest during his whole career. In fact, his field goal percentage doesn’t drop below 40 percent his whole career.

Fred Brown also had 10 steals in a game, which is tied for second for the record for most steals in a single game.

Brown was a talented shooting guard and point guard that was able to score 14,018 points and average 14.6 points per game for his career.