Sam Presti Wife
Meet Sam Presti Wife, Shannon Presti! Sam Presti, is the current general manager for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He started his executive career in 2000 with the San Antonio Spurs.
Shannon Presti
Sam Presti wife Shannon Presti was born Shannon O’Connor in Emporia, Kansas. Shannon Presti began her academic journey at the University of Kansas, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Spanish between 2000 and 2005. During her time there, she was also actively involved with the university’s athletics program, serving as a manager for the KU Men’s Basketball Team.
In 2003, while still completing her undergraduate studies, she broadened her global perspective by studying abroad at Universidad LCI Veritas in Costa Rica, focusing on Spanish language and culture.
Following her undergraduate years, she pursued professional development in the nonprofit sector by completing a certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management at the University of Texas at San Antonio during the 2006–2007 academic year.
Later, from 2010 to 2012, Shannon advanced her career in education by earning a Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Urban Education from the University of Southern California.
Shannon has served as the Director of Teen Leadership Initiatives at the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City since October 2008. With nearly 17 years of experience in this role, she has been dedicated to empowering young people through leadership development programs, mentoring, and community engagement. Her long-standing commitment reflects her passion for youth empowerment and nonprofit service.
Sam and Shannon Presti got married in August 2012 in Oklahoma City; they have three children son Nicholas and twin daughters Elise and Millie.
Sam Presti Biography
Samuel Presti (born November 1976) is a prominent American basketball executive, currently serving as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has held this position since 2007, when he was appointed at the age of 29, making him the second-youngest general manager in NBA history at the time. As of 2025, Presti is the third-most tenured head of basketball operations in the league.
Early Life and Education
Presti grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, and attended Concord-Carlisle High School. He began his college basketball career at Virginia Wesleyan University before transferring to Emerson College, where he played basketball and pursued his passion for music. At Emerson, Presti earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, politics, and law.
Musical Pursuits
While at Emerson College, Presti explored his interest in music, releasing a jazz-rap album titled “Milk Money” in 1998 through Relativity Records, featuring musicians Mike Tucker (saxophone) and Matthew Morin (piano). He followed up with a second album, “All Things Considered,” in 1999. In 2025, “Milk Money” briefly leaked online but was quickly removed.
Early NBA Career: San Antonio Spurs
Presti’s NBA journey began with an internship for the San Antonio Spurs, secured after a memorable sales pitch to then-GM R.C. Buford. Starting as a video coordinator under head coach Gregg Popovich, Presti rapidly advanced through the Spurs’ front office, eventually becoming Vice President and Assistant General Manager in 2005. He played a key role in scouting and advocating for the drafting of Tony Parker, who went on to a Hall of Fame career. During his tenure, Presti was part of three NBA championship teams (2003, 2005, 2007) and five division titles.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Building a Contender
In June 2007, the Seattle SuperSonics (who would soon relocate to Oklahoma City and become the Thunder) hired Presti as their general manager. He immediately began reshaping the franchise, orchestrating trades and draft picks that brought in future stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka. His first major trade involved acquiring Jeff Green for Ray Allen, and he also managed the sign-and-trade of Rashard Lewis, which yielded valuable assets.
After the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, Presti continued to build through the draft, selecting Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. He later drafted James Harden, forming a young core that propelled the Thunder to rapid success. Under Presti’s stewardship, the Thunder reached the NBA Finals in 2012 and became a perennial playoff contender.
Notable Moves and Rebuilds
Presti became known for his bold moves, including the controversial trade of James Harden to the Houston Rockets in 2012, a decision influenced by financial constraints and the NBA’s luxury tax. Despite criticism, Presti’s Thunder remained competitive, highlighted by Kevin Durant’s MVP season in 2014 and Russell Westbrook’s historic triple-double campaign in 2017, which earned Westbrook the MVP award.
Following the departures of Durant and Westbrook, Presti initiated a comprehensive rebuild, acquiring a trove of draft picks and young talent, most notably Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His strategic trades and draft selections have positioned the Thunder with one of the NBA’s most promising young cores and a significant stockpile of future draft assets.
