THE STORY OF THUNDOR
THE MAN.
THE MASK.
THE LEGEND.
For 19 years, Garrett Haviland has been bringing the THUNDER. What started with a homemade costume and a megaphone became one of Oklahoma City's most recognizable game-night traditions.
GARRETT HAVILAND
OKC'S MASKED SUPERFAN
2008
WHERE IT STARTED
The Origin of Thundor
Thundor wasn't created by a marketing department. There was no focus group, no designer rollout and no master plan.
It started during the Thunder's first season in Oklahoma City with a $5 costume inspired by Nacho Libre. Garrett borrowed a megaphone, wrapped it in Thunder colors and found his place behind the basket.
During a 2008 game against the Clippers, he decided to see whether he could disrupt an opposing free throw. The shots still went in.
But the idea didn't go away.
Season after season, the costume evolved. The yelling got louder. The distractions got bigger. The shirt disappeared. The belly became a canvas.
Somewhere along the way, Garrett Haviland stopped being another fan in the crowd.
Thundor had arrived.
“
THE MISSION
Get loud. Get noticed.
Help the Thunder win.
Help the Thunder win.
WHOOOOOOOP!
GAME NIGHT
Welcome to the Free Throw Defense
There's defense on the court. Then there's Thundor's defense.
When an opposing player walks to the free-throw line in Oklahoma City, Thundor may already be waiting behind the basket.
MASK ON
MEGAPHONE UP
BELLY READY
ESPN has highlighted Thundor as part of Oklahoma City's free-throw-defense culture. Garrett knows NBA players are professionals. Most aren't going to be rattled by one screaming man in a mask.
He doesn't need most of them.
He only needs one miss.
THE BELLY CANVAS
Every Game Can Become a Work of Art
The mask may be Thundor's face, but the belly became his billboard.
40+
Artists
0
Repeated Designs
More than 40 artists have painted Garrett over the years. Some designs can take as much as two hours to complete.
Player tributes. Playoff themes. Rivalries. Jokes. Challenges. Predictions.
Every painting gets one night. Then it becomes part of Thundor history.
Explore the complete belly paint gallery →
NATIONAL TELEVISION
THE NATIONAL STAGE
From Loud City to National Television
Eventually, television cameras couldn't ignore the masked guy screaming through a megaphone behind the basket.
As Oklahoma City grew into an NBA contender, Thundor began showing up more and more on national broadcasts.
One of the most memorable moments came during the 2014 Western Conference Finals when Thundor appeared on TNT alongside Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal.
And yes...
Shaq bit him.
More than a decade later, ESPN again put the spotlight on Garrett during Oklahoma City's 2025 championship run.
GARRETT HAVILAND
The Man
Behind the Mask
The loudest person in the arena has spent much of his life doing work that requires patience, stability and compassion.
Away from Thunder basketball, Garrett built a career in social services and behavioral health, helping people through difficult circumstances.
Thundor became his release valve.
After emotionally demanding workdays, Garrett could change clothes, put on the mask and become somebody completely different for a few hours.
For Garrett, Thundor isn't just fandom.
It's self-expression.
BIG.
LOUD.
PROUD.
LOUD.
PROUD.
Garrett has also spoken openly about growing up self-conscious about his size.
The kid who once wanted to wear a shirt while swimming eventually became the man willing to stand shirtless in front of 18,000 fans — and millions more watching on television — with his stomach painted and absolutely no intention of hiding.
Be comfortable being you.
Thundor was never supposed to look like anybody else.
That's the point.
2025
THE MOMENT HE WAITED FOR
17 Years
To a Championship
Thundor was there when Oklahoma City first got an NBA team. He was there through the rise, the 2012 Finals, the heartbreak, the stars who left, the rebuild and the return.
Then came June 22, 2025.
THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER WERE NBA CHAMPIONS.
That night, Garrett's belly carried the Larry O'Brien Trophy. His megaphone was in his hand. One finger went into the air.
“I have been waiting for this moment for 17 long years.”
THUNDOR BY THE NUMBERS
Nineteen Years of Thunder
THIS IS THUNDOR
Mask On.
Belly Painted.
Megaphone Ready.
He showed up before Oklahoma City had championship banners and kept showing up until one finally hung.
WHOOOOOOOP!
THUNDER UP ⚡