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How did Thunder fan from England get to OKC? Andre Roberson's brother got the ball rolling

Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman
·4 min read

As Harry Collins flew to the U.S., on his first trip to America, a flight attendant asked him and his father where they were headed. New York? Los Angeles? Las Vegas?

“Oklahoma,” Collins responded.

“What are you doing there?” the flight attendant asked.

Fair question, but Collins had his reason.

The 23-year-old from Manchester, England, was going to see his beloved Thunder play a couple of basketball games.

Alongside his dad, Neil, Harry sat on the top row of Section 115 Monday night to watch the Thunder lose a close one to the Timberwolves. And they’ll be back Wednesday to see the Thunder host the defending-champion Nuggets before leaving Oklahoma City on Thursday for the 19-hour trek home.

“It was a long journey,” Harry Collins said, “but definitely worth it.”

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So how does a kid growing up in a soccer-crazed city in a soccer-crazed country on a soccer-crazed continent become a fan of the Thunder? Collins got hooked a decade ago during the Thunder’s 2013 playoff run — the one derailed when Patrick Beverley busted up Russell Westbrook’s knee.

Collins didn’t get to watch many NBA games on TV, but British channel Sky Sports was airing one of the Thunder’s playoff games.

“I just liked OKC’s kits more,” Collins said.

Uniforms, as we call them.

“Been following them ever since,” Collins said.

Collins ran a Thunder fan page and hosts a podcast geared toward Thunder fans in the United Kingdom.

“The community’s massive over there, which is great,” Collins said.

Collins got to the arena early enough Monday to get a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander autograph.

Other than SGA, Collins’ favorite player is Isaiah Joe.

“When I play basketball, I’ve just always been a shooter, just running off screens,” Collins said. “Watching him and how high he arcs the ball, he’s just amazing.”

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Harry Collins and his father Neal attend their first Thunder game Monday night at Paycom Center.
Harry Collins and his father Neal attend their first Thunder game Monday night at Paycom Center.

Collins has a running joke on his podcast that Joe is the best player in the world.

Collins’ trip was made even sweeter thanks to a coincidental connection. Anthony Roberson, the brother of former Thunder wing Andre Roberson, played for the Manchester Giants of the British Basketball League last season.

Collins got in touch with Anthony Roberson, who used to play for the OKC Blue. Roberson contacted Lindy Waters III, a former Blue teammate who’s now with the Thunder, and Waters secured a pass for Collins to go onto the court after the game Monday.

“He’s like a child,” Neil Collins said. “It’s terrific for me as a parent. It’s terrific to see. He’s in his absolute element here. For me, this will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime trip and visit. For him, I have no doubt he’ll come back here.”

Neil Collins has visited the U.S. for work, but this is his first time in Oklahoma.

“Since we’ve got here, the people are so welcoming in a way that I’ve not experienced,” Neil Collins said.

Harry and Neil arrived in Oklahoma City on Sunday night after connecting flights from Dublin and Chicago.

The pedestrian-less streets, even downtown, stood out to Harry, “But it’s beautiful,” he said. “It’s really clean, very well kept.”

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Harry, who’s posted about his trip on X, even got a welcome message from Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.

Before going to the game Wednesday, the Collinses visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. It was one of their first items on the itinerary, just as it is for new Thunder players.

“It’s obviously such a devastating thing that happened, but the storytelling in that museum, it’s amazing,” Harry Collins said. “It really makes you learn who Oklahomans are as people, how strong they are.”

On Wednesday, Harry and his dad are planning to ride scooters around downtown.

Neil is up for anything. He’s along for the ride with his son, who wanted to visit Oklahoma City, of all places, out of anywhere in the U.S.

All because of Thunder basketball.

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Harry Collins and his father Neal attend their first Thunder game during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.
Harry Collins and his father Neal attend their first Thunder game during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder fandom worth 'long journey' from England to Oklahoma City