During the mid-season, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a decisive victory against the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers. Although the game itself wasn’t particularly thrilling, the post-game interview clips quickly captured the national media’s attention. On the sidelines, reporter Nick Gallo was surrounded by Thunder players draped in nine towels while interviewing star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This playful scene was recreated months later on an ESPN show, and for Gallo, this kind of “prank” isn’t new—it certainly won’t be the last.
Born in North Carolina, Gallo attended Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. He spent his formative years at Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, where his passion for Duke basketball led him to pursue a career in sports journalism. Initially, he wrote articles for his high school paper and local tabloids, and during college, he contributed to the university’s publications. This journey eventually led him to an internship with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, and in 2012, he joined the Oklahoma City Thunder, gradually developing his career and taking on the role of sideline reporter in 2019.
Gallo shared his efforts in the pursuit of his dreams. During the 2022 Summer League in Salt Lake City, top draft pick Chet Holmgren showcased his incredible potential, setting a summer league record with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Although the media initially wanted to interview Holmgren alone, he insisted on joining his teammate Josh Giddey, leading to the collective interview style that became a hallmark for Thunder players. Over time, the number of players participating in interviews grew, with as many as ten players gathered around Gallo at one point.
New additions like Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams have brought a fresh dose of fun to these interviews, with humorous moments popping up quite often. JDub and Jaylin’s creative celebrations, like barking during Holmgren’s interviews, have become part of the team’s culture, making it hard for Gallo on the sidelines to stay out of it. In the final game of the 2023-24 season, he was even compelled to take part in the barking performance.
JDub mentioned: We are the youngest team in the NBA, and these unique celebrations help boost our team cohesion. I can’t speak for other teams, but our close age makes us tighter.
The Oklahoma City Thunder is like a vibrant AAU team; while they demonstrate maturity on the court, off the court they are just like playful kids. This year, despite the Thunder topping the Western Conference with 57 wins, media attention has been limited because the spotlight always seems to shine brighter on teams from larger cities and their related trades. In this context, Gallo consistently shows up after games, clearly having forged a deep connection with the players.
