On Friday night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moved to sixth on the Thunder’s all-time minutes list. Coincidentally enough, the player Gilgeous-Alexander passed was in the building.

Thabo Sefolosha.

Not a star like SGA, but a starter on four 50-win Thunder teams, three of which made the Western Conference Finals.

Acquired from the Bulls at the 2009 trade deadline, Sefolosha spent parts of six seasons in Oklahoma City, where the defensive menace complemented the offensive firepower of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

In 2009-10, his first full season with the Thunder, Sefolosha made the All-Defensive second team. The 6-foot-6 wing from Switzerland, now 39, ranks top-10 all time in Thunder rebounds, steals and games played.

Sefolosha was back in Oklahoma City for Thunder Legacy Weekend, an annual reunion of Thunder alums.

The Oklahoman caught up with him at halftime of the Thunder-Wizards game:

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Q: What’s it like being back for this event and reconnecting with so many people?

A: “It is super cool. It’s a great opportunity to come back, spend some time here in the city. Reconnect with the fans, reconnect with the team and old teammates. It’s a unique opportunity and very cool.”

Q: Have you kept in touch with the organization since you’ve left?

A: “I kept a conversation open with Sam (Presti), and obviously I’m a big fan of the game. Always been passionate about the game. I still watch and try to stay as close as possible.”

Q: Have you followed what the Thunder is doing?

A: “Of course, of course. I got my little fantasy team.”

Q: Any Thunder players on it?

A: “I got Shai (laughs). Yeah, no, I’ve been following and it’s been amazing. To be honest, I didn’t expect them to be this good this year. Really, really impressive. They’ve shown a lot of great characteristics. It’s been fun to follow them.”

Q: Take me back to that 08-09 season. You’re traded here at the deadline, it’s the first year the franchise is in Oklahoma City. What did you know about Oklahoma City, first impressions being here and the new team?

A: “So a little back story. I didn’t know much about the U.S. When I got drafted it was my first time coming to the U.S. Obviously I knew about the big cities, so when I got traded from Chicago to Oklahoma City, I had to actually pull up the map just to see where Oklahoma City was. I had really no idea what I was getting myself into. The team wasn’t great at that point … I heard of KD and Russ and I knew that they had some good young players. But when I got here it was a unique situation, small city, the intensity of the crowd behind us. It really pushed all of us to get better, to work harder. And the rest is history.”

Q: You were a little older than guys like KD and Russ. Even though the wins weren’t there, could you see the talent of those guys?

A: “Oh, for sure. For sure. I was lucky to be with Derrick Rose also in his rookie season. Talent speaks very clearly and very loud. I knew also the year after that, when James (Harden) got here, that he was gonna be a special talent. So yeah, I wasn’t surprised to see their progression and to still follow to this day their career. They’re hall of famers. I was lucky to be here at that time, be around those caliber players and share the court with them.”

Q: Does this Thunder team remind you at all of that? It’s similar ages with the core.

A: “Exactly. I see a lot of what we had, people not expecting them to be this good. Super-competitive team. Extremely talented. Credit to Sam (Presti). He finds a way. You cannot doubt the man.”

Q: Is it cool that people come up to you and recognize you even though it’s been a long time since you played her?

A: “I gotta say, it’s pretty cool. I’m not necessarily the one that needs recognition or to put myself in front, but I think what’s pretty cool is that we all share those memories.”

Q: Are you and your family back home in Switzerland?

A: “We’re in Switzerland, yes. Close to Geneva. Lausanne and French-speaking parts of Switzerland. We enjoy coming back to the U.S. We have a house in Atlanta, so we go back and forth.”

Q: Are you involved in the game anymore? What’s next for you?

A: “I actually ran for the presidency of the Swiss (basketball) federation. It didn’t go through. We had some ups and downs. So, right now I’m less involved with that, but still involved with the game and helping players and helping coaches. I feel like I’m a big-time veteran in Switzerland when you’re talking about basketball. I try to provide a little of that and help the game grow. Other than that, try to do the same thing in South Africa where I’m from. The game is growing there, so I’m spending a little bit of time focusing on that.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thabo Sefolosha reflects on Thunder career, being back in OKC