Santa Clara product Jalen Williams has been precisely what Thunder General Manager Sam Presti drafted him to be, a extra skilled rookie who continues to be younger sufficient to suit Oklahoma City’s timeline. After spending three seasons in faculty, the younger ball handler already appears snug on the ground in essential moments for OKC.
In the Thunder’s most up-to-date victory over the Washington Wizards, Williams was within the closing lineup as Oklahoma City accomplished a ferocious comeback. The 21-year-old wing even knocked down an important 3-point shot in Washington to maintain OKC alive late within the recreation.
Williams was ranked ninth in the newest version of the NBA.com Kia Rookie Ladder, with Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin taking the highest spot. The Thunder rookie’s inclusion on this checklist thrusts his title into the NBA All-Rookie staff dialogue.
The Gilbert, Arizona, native has performed 11 video games this yr, lacking 4 contests after an elbow to the face in Oklahoma City’s season opener left Williams with a damaged orbital bone. Williams is averaging 8.5 factors, 2.7 assists and a couple of.6 rebounds on 52.6% capturing in simply over 23 minutes per recreation.
The twelfth total choose within the 2022 NBA Draft is competing for a wing spot on the all-rookie groups with MarJon Beauchamp, Shaedon Sharpe, Tari Eason, Jaden Ivey and Mathurin. Ivey, who was picked fifth total by the Detroit Pistons, and Mathurin, the sixth total choose, are each averaging over 14 factors per recreation, and are probably properly on their method to appearances on the All-Rookie First Team.
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Beauchamp, the Milwaukee Bucks first spherical choice, is at present averaging seven factors and nearly 4 rebounds per recreation whereas Eason, the 14th total choose, is placing up totals of 8.3 factors, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per recreation for the Houston Rockets. Sharpe, who was taken 5 slots forward of “J-Dub” by the Portland Trail Blazers, is averaging 10.4 factors and a couple of.5 rebounds per recreation.
One factor that units Williams aside is his excessive stage defensive skill. The Thunder wing is ready to change onto most offensive gamers, and has often guarded each wings and massive males this season.
Last yr, then-rookie Josh Giddey earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team with averages of 12.5 factors, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per recreation whereas capturing 41.9% from the sphere. Based on Williams season to date, it seems as if OKC could have representatives on the All-Rookie second staff in consecutive seasons.
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