Sam Presti has led the Oklahoma City Thunder as executive vice president and general manager over the last 17 years to be regarded as a premier basketball organization that is one of the most respected in professional sports. Upon arrival, Presti’s vision was to assemble a group of players who would reflect Oklahoma's values of hard work, togetherness, and resiliency, along with a team that could sustain high levels of success in a small market through methods of development and strategy.

During his tenure, the Thunder played postseason basketball 13 times in the last 16 seasons, including four Western Conference Finals, and an appearance in the 2012 NBA Finals. He is one of only four heads of basketball operations in NBA history to build a 60-win team with different rosters at the same organization. Presti also was named the 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year.

A native of Concord, Massachusetts, Presti graduated from Emerson College as the first Rhodes Scholar nominee in the school’s history, also playing basketball for legendary coach Hank Smith. Presti's first break in the NBA came in 2000 as a video intern for the San Antonio Spurs, where he worked his way to become Vice President and Assistant General Manager, winning three championships during his tenure.

Presti has a deep-rooted passion for community involvement, understanding the unique connection between the Thunder and Oklahoma. Amongst a multitude of philanthropic efforts, Presti’s community work is highlighted by leading initiatives at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum where he is on the Board of Trustees, the Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine, and the Thunder Fellows program in Tulsa.