Oklahoma City Thunder select Terrance Ferguson with the #21 pick of the 2017 NBA Draft

With the 21st pick of Thursday’s 2017 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder chose Terrance Ferguson from the National Basketball League’s Adelaide 36’ers.

Last season, Ferguson, a 6’7 shooting guard, declined numerous Division I offers and instead competed professionally for Australia’s rugged NBL. While overseas, the heralded 2016 McDonald’s All-American averaged 4.6 PPG and 15.2 MPG.

Just 19 years-of-age, Ferguson’s 30-game on-job christening satisfied the NBA’s minimum requirements for draft eligibility.

And though Ferguson’s NBL stint proved uneventful, nonetheless, many scouts list the guard/forward as a touted “3-and-D” prospect with NBA-ready floor-spacing capabilities.

By taking the five-star recruit, Sam Presti addressed an urgent Thunder need to improve upon its league-worst three-point percentage.

Meanwhile, Ferguson joins Domantas Sabonis, Alex Abrines, and Doug McDermott in a talented young reserve grouping, as starters Andre Roberson and Taj Gibson become free-agents July 1.

With Roberson’s status uncertain, the incoming rookie’s projected floor-time hinges upon several off-season factors. If Roberson doesn’t re-sign, expect Ferguson to gain minutes at the NBA level. However, should Roberson re-commit, OKC’s newest addition could become a regular OKC Blue fixture.

Whatever happens, the former top-20 high school standout is Oklahoma City’s first official opening-round draft pick since Mitch McGary in 2014, and serves as the Thunder’s lone addition during this year’s draft.

Last August, the Thunder sent its two 2017 second-round choices to Denver for ex Thunder Joffrey Lauvergne. Lauvergne, however, accompanied Cameron Payne, and Anthony Morrow as trade-deadline fodder to acquire Gibson and McDermott from Chicago.

Now, Terrance Ferguson, a native Oklahoman shrouded with both upside and question marks will presumably begin answering those on-court questions during next month’s Orlando Summer league.