Jeff Latzke

OKLAHOMA CITY — By keeping largely the same group together and building over time, the Oklahoma City Thunder climbed from the bottom of the league to the NBA Finals.

They were so close to the pinnacle. Now it gets only more difficult to keep all the pieces in place to try to finish the job.

The Thunder enter the offseason with coach Scott Brooks’ contract about to expire, Sixth Man of the Year James Harden and NBA blocks leader Serge Ibaka eligible for new deals and the future of veterans Derek Fisher and Nazr Mohammed up in the air.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The national governing body for Olympic canoeing and kayaking is moving its headquarters to Oklahoma City.

USA Canoe/Kayak CEO Joe Jacobi announced Tuesday that the group's offices will move from Charlotte, N.C., to the site where the sports held their 2008 Olympic trials for flatwater events.

Oklahoma City has become a hub for rowing in the United States after a riverbed that sat dry for decades was redeveloped about a decade ago. A series of boathouses are being built along the Oklahoma River just east of downtown, and another $57 million will be spent in the next few years on further improvements, including a whitewater course.

Turned away by the Pac-12, the Big 12's most powerful members are trying to find ways to live together again after weeks of hurtling toward a break up.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The NCAA is considering a change to its softball rules that would allow a defensive team to choose a penalty if a runner leaves base before the pitcher releases the ball.

The proposal would allow the defensive team to have the runner called out and replay the pitch -- as the rules currently require -- or take the result of the play if that's more advantageous.

The change is one of several proposals that will be considered by the NCAA's playing rules oversight panel on July 13.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Entering a hall of fame is often a chance to look back at an athlete's marvelous career.

Utah native Cael Sanderson entered the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday night, then confirmed that his career isn't over yet.

Sanderson will weigh in Friday for the World Team Trials in Oklahoma City, then be back on the mat wrestling on Saturday in a bid to represent the U.S. at the world championships.

OKLAHOMA CITY-- With the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder headed back to the bench during a time-out, Kevin Durant was still lingering near halfcourt and talking at the referees -- right up until Nick Collison stepped out and gestured to him.

Durant took one last look the other way, then relented and joined his teammates on the sideline.

DEL CITY, Okla. -- Kevin Durant wants kids to get out, play and stay healthy. He also understands that some of the things that might keep kids from doing it are some of his favorite hobbies, too.

Representing the NBA's "Fit" team, Durant and Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Morris Peterson visited a middle school Friday to teach dribbling drills, lead layup lines and deliver a message about eating healthy and exercising.

"I think the biggest difference about me is how I eat," said Durant, who's leading the NBA with a 27.9-point average after becoming the league's youngest scoring champion a season ago.