Isaiah Joe Bio
Derrick Isaiah Joe, born on July 2, 1999, is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Known by the nickname “Strokin’ Joe,” he is recognized as a sharpshooting wing who has built his career on perimeter scoring and consistent outside shooting. Joe played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks before entering the NBA, where he has emerged as a reliable three-point threat and a key contributor on a championship roster.
Early Life and Background
Derrick Isaiah Joe was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he attended Northside High School. He grew up alongside Jaylin Williams, who would later become his professional teammate on the Oklahoma City Thunder. From his earliest years on the court, Joe showed a strong shooting touch, hitting 41 percent from three-point range during his sophomore season of high school.
During the summer before his junior year, Joe committed to play college basketball at the University of Arkansas, choosing the Razorbacks over offers from Alabama and Arkansas-Little Rock. As a junior, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game, helping lead the Grizzlies to an Arkansas Activities Association 7A state championship and earning first-team All-State recognition. In his senior season, he averaged 22.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.9 steals per game, was named the Gatorade Arkansas Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and earned State Player of the Year honors from USA Today. He finished his high school career as one of the most decorated players in Arkansas history and was named Mr. Basketball of Arkansas in 2018.
Path to Basketball
Isaiah Joe entered the University of Arkansas as a highly regarded recruit, joining a Razorbacks program looking to build around his shooting ability. As a freshman, he averaged 13.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across 34 contests, and he was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team. That season, he also set the Arkansas single-season record for three-pointers with 113 made shots on 273 attempts, breaking the previous mark held by Scotty Thurman.
Joe led the SEC in three-point percentage as a freshman and tied the conference record for three-pointers made by a freshman. He earned SEC Player of the Week honors on December 1, 2018, after scoring 34 points on 10-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc against FIU. Entering his sophomore year, he was named preseason All-SEC, added to the Jerry West Award watchlist, and was ranked as the 33rd-best prospect for the 2020 NBA draft by ESPN.
Isaiah Joe Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
During his sophomore season at Arkansas, Isaiah Joe averaged 16.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while continuing to showcase his deep shooting range. He was named SEC co-Player of the Week on January 2, 2020, after posting 24 points and five rebounds in a 71–64 win against Indiana. On January 12, he scored 34 points, including 26 in the second half, to lead the Razorbacks to a 76–72 comeback win over Ole Miss.
His sophomore year was interrupted on February 4, 2020, when he underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee after an MRI revealed inflammation, ruling him out indefinitely. Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft but initially announced on August 1 that he was withdrawing and returning to Arkansas. Two weeks later, on August 17, he reversed course and left school to begin his professional career.
Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2022)
Isaiah Joe was selected with the 49th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He signed with the team on December 3, 2020, and made his NBA debut on December 27, 2020, playing seven minutes and scoring two points on 1-of-2 shooting with one rebound, one assist, and one steal in a 118–94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his time in Philadelphia, he split work between the 76ers and their NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
Joe was waived by the 76ers on October 13, 2022, ending his two-year stint with the organization. Across his time in Philadelphia, he continued to develop his perimeter shooting and adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA game, laying the foundation for his next opportunity.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2022–Present)
On October 16, 2022, Isaiah Joe signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, quickly carving out a role as a rotation wing. He set a then career-high 28 points on February 24, 2023, in a 124–115 loss to the Phoenix Suns, and later posted a new career high of 33 points on March 29, 2023, in a 137–134 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. On November 16, 2023, he connected on all seven of his three-point attempts, finishing with 23 points in a 128–109 win against the Golden State Warriors.
On July 1, 2024, Joe re-signed with the Thunder on a four-year, $48 million deal, cementing his place in the team’s long-term plans. On January 10, 2025, he scored 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including a career-high eight made three-pointers, in a 126–101 win over the New York Knicks. On June 22, 2025, Joe won his first NBA championship when the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, becoming an NBA champion as part of Oklahoma City’s roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Isaiah Joe’s game is built around his perimeter shooting, fluid shooting mechanics, and ability to space the floor. He is at his best when operating as a catch-and-shoot threat off screens and around dribble hand-offs, and he has steadily improved his ability to attack closeouts and finish at the rim. His shooting gravity creates spacing for the Thunder’s primary creators, and his willingness to take and make difficult threes has made him a trusted option in clutch moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Isaiah Joe’s signature moments, his 33-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets in March 2023 and his 31-point, eight-three-pointer outburst against the New York Knicks in January 2025 stand out as career highlights. He also set the Arkansas Razorbacks single-season three-point record as a freshman with 113 makes, a mark that highlighted his elite shooting pedigree entering the NBA. His first NBA championship in 2025 represents the crowning achievement of his career to date.
Isaiah Joe Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Isaiah Joe has built a résumé defined by perimeter scoring and team success. He captured a state championship in high school, set Arkansas single-season three-point records in college, and reached the pinnacle of the NBA by winning a championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025.
NBA Highlights
Isaiah Joe’s most significant NBA win came on June 22, 2025, when the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the NBA championship with a 103–91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Finals. Although he did not appear in the deciding game, Joe was part of the Thunder’s roster throughout the playoffs, appearing in 21 games and averaging 6.4 points per game while shooting 41.1 percent from three-point range. He signed a four-year, $48 million extension with the Thunder on July 1, 2024, reflecting his value as a core rotation piece.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NBA accomplishments, Isaiah Joe won the Arkansas Activities Association 7A state championship with Northside High School and was named the 2018 Mr. Basketball of Arkansas. He also earned SEC All-Freshman honors and set the Arkansas Razorbacks single-season three-point record as a freshman, further establishing his reputation as one of the top shooters in program history.
Isaiah Joe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Isaiah Joe grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, alongside his brother Jacob, who plays college basketball for the Newman Jets. His high school teammate Jaylin Williams, with whom he played at Northside, has continued to share the court with him as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Personal Life
In 2024, Isaiah Joe hosted a “Shooters Shoot” youth training camp in his hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas, drawing more than 200 young participants. He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and remains active in his community, using his platform to support youth basketball development.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the culmination of Isaiah Joe’s growth as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He delivered one of his finest individual performances on January 10, 2025, scoring 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including a career-high eight made three-pointers, in a 126–101 win over the New York Knicks. His perimeter shooting helped space the floor for the Thunder’s offense throughout the regular season, and he was a steady contributor as Oklahoma City built toward a deep postseason run.
Joe played in 21 playoff games during the 2025 postseason, averaging 6.4 points per game and shooting 41.1 percent from three-point range, providing reliable shooting off the bench throughout the Thunder’s run to the NBA Finals. Although he did not appear in Game 7, he was part of the championship-winning roster as Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 on June 22, 2025, to claim the NBA title.
With his four-year, $48 million extension keeping him in Oklahoma City through 2028, Joe is positioned to remain a key rotation piece for the Thunder going forward. His combination of elite shooting, team-first mentality, and championship experience should continue to play a central role in the Thunder’s pursuit of sustained title contention.