Q. Just thinking back over the season and the opportunity that you have, just what did this mean to you, just this organization as a whole?
LINDY WATERS III: I can't thank them enough for giving me an opportunity for me and my family, but it was good season, a lot of great things happening for myself individually. Yeah, just looking forward to the summer and next season.
Q. What was it like joining this group? This is a group that obviously has a lot of good chemistry and has a lot of fun. What was it like joining them?
LINDY WATERS III: You know, it was pretty fluid. All the young guys got great personalities, love to come in here and compete and just get better every single day, so having an environment like that just made everything a lot smoother.
Q. Talk a little bit more about that environment and how that's helped you and being in the NBA now.
LINDY WATERS III: Yeah, I think even since I started working out with the Thunder last summer, the environment has always been the same. Just wanted to come in every day, and seeing those guys' faces just makes those days like -- it makes it easier to get through the season, makes it easier to want to get better and want to improve. Yeah, shout-out to Sam Presti for creating that environment for us.
Q. Did you think this was possible or did you dream something like this was possible?
LINDY WATERS III: You know, I always dreamed of it being possible. I didn't know the exact path that I was going to have to take to get to this moment, but all I was focused on is just putting one foot in front of the other, keeping my head down and staying humble, and when it was my time, God was going to make sure I was ready.
Q. There's a precedent of guys going from two-way contracts to being promoted to a standard contract. What do you think you have to do to get to that point and is that a goal of yours?
LINDY WATERS III: Most definitely. When that day comes, it'll be a big day for me and my family, but like I said, one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. I can just control the things I can control. That's getting my conditioning to the top level, my strength and basketball wisdom at the highest level it can possibly be.
Yeah, I'm not worried about trying to get signed right now. Just trying to get better.
Q. What do you think you've learned about yourself through this process with the Thunder and everything?
LINDY WATERS III: You know, it's the little things. I appreciate the little things. The routines that I've been building, the meditations, learning what I like, learning my hobbies outside of basketball. It's helped me become a better person.
I love meeting new people, so the coaching staff, the trainers, you guys, I think I really like being in this position, so learning to love myself and not take anything for granted.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of basketball?
LINDY WATERS III: Some of my hobbies? I like to read. Coach gave me some books in our meeting, so during the off-season I'll read a couple of those. I like to play video games. I like nature, so I like going on walks. I felt like I didn't get enough sun this winter, so definitely going to be out there a whole lot. And also golf, I've picked up golf. Got a few buddies that are going to make sure I've got my swing right, go play some 18s on some weekends.
Q. Are they basketball books or different books?
LINDY WATERS III: Some of them are life books. I know one book is about a baseball player. One is "The Four Agreements." Some of them have to do with basketball, just more so about life and mentality.
Q. Did you get emotional, a little emotional at times seeing so many fans there to support you?
LINDY WATERS III: I think I get more emotional seeing my family, but it definitely was moving seeing those people in Denver, like the three sections full of natives. It was just something I never had imagined was going to happen. Definitely something that will stick with me for a long time.
Q. When asked players around the league they're kind of 50/50 on whether they want to play at home or not. Where did you land in that? Did you want to play for the Thunder or was it just you wanted an opportunity?
LINDY WATERS III: Yeah, I wanted an opportunity. As time goes by, I see how guys talk about all the time, man, you're so lucky to be playing at home. They tell me that all the time. It's a blessing being able to have my family out at every game, friends I've grown up with and gone through a lot of things with come out and watch me play. I think it's amazing.
Q. What's it been like hearing from some of those people after they see you playing now?
LINDY WATERS III: It's just love. Like they really support and they really love, and that's the whole community.
Q. Now that you have NBA games under your belt, how driven are you to stay in the NBA, perhaps stay here, as well?
LINDY WATERS III: More driven than I've ever been. I'm the most excited I've ever been for a season, knowing it's my first summer as a pro. The coaches and the trainers and strength coaches, they're going to get me right, and I'm never more excited.
Q. Where do you feel like you made your biggest jump? You've always had this great shot, but --
LINDY WATERS III: I think probably this past year with the G-League, just getting stronger, learning what I do best and how to translate that to an NBA game. So I think the G-League was a big help in that, really big help. Coach Sam, he made sure I was getting my shot quicker and quicker every day. We worked on that. Just as time goes by and the stronger I get, the better my jump shot gets.
Q. Have you been able to reflect on how unusual your path is, from Norman to Stillwater to OKC, staying here? That just doesn't happen like that for anybody.
LINDY WATERS III: Yeah, I haven't had too much time. I will these next two weeks. I'll read a lot of books and do a lot of journaling. I'll reflect on it then.
Q. I assume that you're playing Summer League?
LINDY WATERS III: Yeah.
Q. Can you talk about playing for Mark.
LINDY WATERS III: Yeah, Coach Mark, great coach, player's coach. He never tells me what I want to hear, he tells me what I need to hear, and he keeps it truth 100 percent every time. Playing with him is like -- I feel the freedom but also know he's going to be on me to make sure I'm the best player I can be for myself and the team.
Q. Does that give you confidence?
LINDY WATERS III: Yeah, yeah, for sure, and it makes me want to play better and play harder.
Q. What kind of reward for you was it to be on the big stage with the Thunder? What kind of reward about your work ethic, your dedication and the whole sacrifices that you made to be a basketball player?
LINDY WATERS III: I learned a lot. Learned how to move without the ball, play defense without fouling because at the beginning of the year I was fouling a lot and now I was able to get some steals, learned that it's okay to find a role and stick to that role, learned to wake up the next day knowing that it's another opportunity to get better. Just continuously growing my mindset every single day would probably be the biggest thing I learned.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports