Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins introduced himself to most of the basketball world with a breakout performance in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, but those already familiar with him recognize his invaluable contributions to the sport.
The game wouldn’t be the same without him. It may not exist anymore.
As of the beginning of the Finals, Wiggins is officially recognized as “The Man Who Saved Basketball,” per the nickname section on his Basketball-Reference profile. And while it may seem drastic or untrue, it’s a story that predates his time as the man who helped OKC pull away from the Pacers in Game 2 of the Finals.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Here’s everything to know about Wiggins’ role as basketball’s savior.
‘Aaron Wiggins saved basketball’ meme, explained
Wiggins began his Thunder career on a two-way contract in 2021, and the meme is believed to have originated during his rookie season.
A 2024 article from The Oklahoman credits Cody Burton with originating the phrase, but it predates Wiggins’ time in the NBA. During Wiggins’ pre-draft process in 2021, Burton created a GIF of Wiggins in his Maryland uniform along with the text “Aaron Wiggins saved basketball.”
It took a life of its own.
AARON WIGGINS SAVED BASKETBALL@Aaron_Wiggins_ | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/PBxaZsDWl3
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 27, 2021
Burton runs @LuDortBurner on X (formerly Twitter) and the first post from that account containing those words came on Feb. 25, 2022, the night Wiggins scored eight points in an overtime win over the Pacers.
AARON WIGGINS SAVED BASKETBALL
— Lu Dort Fan Account (@LuDortBurner) February 26, 2022
According to Burton, the phrase derives from the original version, which credited former MLB utility man Marwin Gonzalez with saving baseball.
In a way, Wiggins is viewed as the NBA’s version of Gonzalez.
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket
It did not take long for the meme to take on a life of its own, as Wiggins’ development was a silver lining to the dark cloud that was the Thunder’s 24-58 finish in 2021-22. Wiggins got better as his team did, and Thunder fans were enamored with him.
Wiggins and his teammates are well aware of the nickname, causing plenty of memorable moments at the postgame podium and beyond.
Countless memes have been created from the phrase, with Wiggins inserted in several images that have gone viral. Ahead of the Finals, Wiggins was asked about the nickname going on Basketball-Reference, and it later became true.
“That would be pretty cool. Hopefully they do it.”
Aaron Wiggins is one of the few guys on the Thunder without a nickname listed on @bball_ref
I asked him what it would mean to have “The Man Who Saved Basketball” on his page as his nickname. pic.twitter.com/GWXQH5TynK
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) June 4, 2025
Following Wiggins’ 18-point showing in Game 2, NBA Paint also joined in on the fun.
Aaron Wiggins saved basketball. pic.twitter.com/MjBMNznksE
— playoff paint (@nba_paint) June 9, 2025
Aaron Wiggins stats Game 2 vs. Pacers
- Points:Â 18
- Rebounds: 4
- Assists:Â 1
- Steals:Â 1
- Blocks:Â 0
- TOs:Â 1
- Fouls:Â 1
- FG:Â 6-11
- 3FG:Â 5-8
- FT:Â 1-2Â
MORE NBA FINALS GAME 2
