(Nathan Jolly, front and center, a 2021 Derby High School graduate, celebrated the OKC Thunder's national championship with his fellow Thunder Drummers. Photo submitted with permission from Nathan Jolly. Information provided by Katie Carlson, director of communications, Derby USD 260.)

Nathan Jolly, a 2021 graduate of Derby High School, is a proud and enthusiastic member of the Thunder Drummers of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 NBA national champions.

Derby USD 260 recently shared the following statement from Jolly on the district’s Facebook page:

"I am extremely blessed to be a part of this incredible entertainment team and to play in front of the loudest fans in the NBA. I never could have imagined starting percussion in 5th grade that I’d end up here. Having great mentors during my time at Derby, like Victoria Griffitt, Gray Bishop and Adam DeVault led me to this moment and I couldn’t thank them enough. They always pushed me to keep playing and stick with it, and that taught me so much. Thunder Up!"