Former Alabama Guard Inks Two-Way Contract with NBA Champions
The Oklahoma City Thunder has officially signed former Alabama guard Chris Youngblood to a two-way contract. This announcement was made on Saturday, marking a significant step for both the player and the team.
Understanding Two-Way Contracts
Two-way contracts allow NBA teams to carry players who can split their time between the NBA and the G League. Each team can have a maximum of three players under this type of contract. While two-way players do not count against the 15-player standard roster, they can participate in up to 50 games with the main NBA club.
Younger players like Youngblood will move back and forth between the NBA and the affiliated G League team, which for the Thunder is the Oklahoma City Blue. Generally, players on two-way contracts receive one salary that usually amounts to half of the NBA’s minimum salary.
Financial Aspects
For the 2025-26 season, the half-minimum salary is set at $420,000.
Chris Youngblood’s Basketball Journey
- Youngblood played one season at Alabama after stints at Kennesaw State and South Florida.
- He earned the title of American Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season.
- During his time at Alabama, he averaged 10.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 28 games.
- The Crimson Tide advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament that season.
Summer League Performance
Youngblood went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, he showcased his skills during the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas this July. Over the course of five games, he averaged:
- 12.4 points
- 2.8 rebounds
- 1.6 assists
- 1.4 steals
In addition, he played three games in the Salt Lake City Summer League, where he averaged 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Preseason Highlights
In four preseason games, Youngblood continued to impress, averaging:
- 14.5 points
- 3.0 rebounds
- 1.8 assists
- 1.0 steals
He achieved a notable 44.4 percent shooting rate from beyond the arc during preseason play.
Upcoming Season
The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off winning the 2024-25 NBA championship, is set to kick off the 2025-26 season against the Houston Rockets. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT on Tuesday at Paycor City in Oklahoma City.
This contract represents a pivotal opportunity for Youngblood to prove himself on a larger platform while contributing to the Thunder’s aspirations.
