LaVonna Joubert is a dedicated usher at the Paycom Center, known for her high energy and enthusiasm for Oklahoma City Thunder games. She has been working at the arena for nearly a decade, enhancing the fan experience in sections 107 and 108.
Key points
LaVonna Joubert is an usher at Paycom Center.
She has worked there off and on for nearly a decade.
Joubert oversees sections 107 and 108 during games.
She brings high energy to enhance the fan experience.
Her passion for the Thunder team has grown over the years.
Mentioned in this story
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City Thunder
Loud City is a state of mind and a chance to show off her authentic self for Paycom Center usher LaVonna Joubert.
Every game she brings high-level energy for Oklahoma City fans sitting in sections 107 and 108 where she's responsible for guiding people to their seats and controlling the flow of traffic while the ball is in play.
Joubert has worked at the arena off and on for a decade now, since she first answered a call for open interviews in 2016.
"I've always been team Thunder," Joubert said. "They hired me on the spot and just being at the arena and being in the live action of the Thunder games made me love the team even more."
Thunder fan Chris Bolling walks with other fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 27: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder runs onto the court before Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Marcos Castro stands in a line at Scissortail Park as fans gather before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Q&A
Who is LaVonna Joubert and what is her role at Paycom Center?
LaVonna Joubert is an usher at Paycom Center responsible for guiding fans to their seats and managing traffic during Oklahoma City Thunder games.
How long has LaVonna Joubert worked at the Paycom Center?
LaVonna Joubert has worked at the Paycom Center for nearly a decade, starting her role in 2016.
What sections does LaVonna Joubert oversee during games?
LaVonna Joubert oversees sections 107 and 108 at the Paycom Center during Oklahoma City Thunder games.
What inspired LaVonna Joubert to work for the Oklahoma City Thunder?
LaVonna Joubert was inspired to work for the Oklahoma City Thunder after answering a call for open interviews and being hired on the spot, which deepened her love for the team.
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Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take a photo at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) slides into fans as he dives for the ball during Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Oklahoma City won 120-107.
Fans gather to get an autograph from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Fans cheer in the fourth quarter during Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The Thunder Girls entertain a crowd as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs jerseys for fans before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) and guard Isaiah Joe (11) celebrate during Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Oklahoma City won 120-107.
Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans cheer in the fourth quarter during Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans cheer after Oklahoma City guard Jalen Williams (8) hits a 3-pointer in the second quarter during Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Allik Sezer, left, and Mingo Ward ride horses outside the Paycom Center across from Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Jordan Morris works on a painting at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
1 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Thunder fan Chris Bolling walks with other fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
1 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Thunder fan Chris Bolling walks with other fans at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
2 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 27: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder runs onto the court before Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
3 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Marcos Castro stands in a line at Scissortail Park as fans gather before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
4 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
5 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans take a photo at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
6 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) slides into fans as he dives for the ball during Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Oklahoma City won 120-107.
7 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans gather to get an autograph from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
8 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans cheer in the fourth quarter during Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
9 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
The Thunder Girls entertain a crowd as fans gather at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
10 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs jerseys for fans before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
11 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) and guard Isaiah Joe (11) celebrate during Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Oklahoma City won 120-107.
12 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Playoffs shirts are pictured before Game 2 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
13 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
14 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans cheer in the fourth quarter during Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
15 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
16 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans cheer after Oklahoma City guard Jalen Williams (8) hits a 3-pointer in the second quarter during Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
17 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans take their seats before Game 1 of the first round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
18 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Allik Sezer, left, and Mingo Ward ride horses outside the Paycom Center across from Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
19 / 19
OKC Thunder playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Jordan Morris works on a painting at Scissortail Park before Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoff between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Joubert's time working at the arena means she's seen the team through its ups and downs, its periods of rebuilding and watched games grow from sparsely attended to sold out, like the 108-90 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers on May 5.
"I went through a lot of eras working at the arena, so it's been cool to actually see the transition of how small we were at first and how big we've become and being champions as of last season," Joubert said.
In 2024, while working a game on her birthday, Joubert grabbed a button and a crown from one of the kiosks at the Paycom Center and put them on. She let her personality truly begin to shine during the pregame DJ set, and the arena's cameramen took notice.
"They captured me dancing randomly while that was going on or whatever and the crowd was loving it and they just kept putting me back on there the whole pre-game. And it wasn't just one time they just kept putting me back, kept putting me back and it was cracking me up," she said. "I love to dance, and music just moves me. So if I find a good beat, I just start dancing. And they would, after that, just every game, just start putting me on there randomly."
Usher LaVonna Joubert talks with fans May 5 as they leave after Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City won 108-90.
Usher LaVonna Joubert talks with fans May 5 as they leave after Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City won 108-90.
Making an impact through joy
Now, after two years of her "dancing usher" antics, fans who attend games regularly have come to know and love Joubert and her infectious, positive attitude.
"We have company seats in her section, and so even if I'm not sitting there, I always come by to say hi to her at the top of the stairs," said Thunder fan Stephanie Pickett, when she stopped by to see the usher during the May 5 game. "She always has a smile and a hug. My family's favorite is when she ends up dancing on the Jumbotron. She's so much fun and brings so much energy to every game."
Knowing she's had an impact on fans in such a way makes Joubert emotional, and also encourages her, she said.
"Sometimes I think we go through transitions where we question ourselves, saying we're not enough or we're not doing a good job, but people like [Stephanie Pickett] and a lot of other people that come see me regularly makes me feel like I am doing enough," she said. "So that's the best part of her and other people that come and see me, that I'm doing my job and I'm doing it well and I'm getting recognized for it now. So it's been very humbling, but very encouraging as well."
Joubert is also a single mom to 8-year-old son, King, a full-time student studying Organizational Leadership at Southern Nazarene University, where she's on the dean's list, and holds a full-time day job as a director at a Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County location on the south side of OKC.
In fact, she said that despite her love for her day job, if there was a way to be an usher full-time, she might consider a shift in careers. She definitely doesn't have any plans to go anywhere when the new arena opens, if she has a say.
"I think I'm a people person, so I just like connecting and being able to see different faces every game and getting the excitement from people and hyping 'em up and stuff," she said. "That's what I enjoy about the arena the most, so I'm really excited about the new one they're building, as well."
For Joubert, working alongside the Thunder organization through the arena has meant she gets to show and embrace parts of her personality that are not always highlighted in a more corporate setting.
"I want to thank the Thunder for the opportunity to shine my light in a way that I kind of have to hide when it comes to professionalism," Joubert said. "But the Thunder has allowed me to be myself and that's been the best thing working at the arena, as well, just being able to be myself and accepting who I am."
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