For these accustomed to Wes Moore’s “The Other Wes Moore,” Jalen and Jaylin Williams’ becoming a member of the Thunder on the identical day could have sparked some memory.
The Thunder’s 2022 rookies don’t share the identical roots, as do the 2 boys described in Moore’s novel, however have since grow to be a synonymous pair within the eyes of the nationwide media.
Oklahoma City chosen Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams with the thirteenth general decide within the 2022 NBA Draft; then chosen Arkansas’ Jaylin WIlliams 21 picks later. Thunder followers erupted in pleasure on Twitter figuring out that, if nothing else, OKC may get a couple of good laughs out of using two gamers with the identical title.
NBA followers on social media made loads of jokes, one of many extra widespread being an iconic picture of two characters pointing at one another, every dressed as Spiderman. The picture was so widespread that the brand new duo recreated the meme on the Thunder’s media day.
OKC THUNDER on Twitter: “now y’all can use the legit photo ?? https://t.co/Ggw6AIy6hJ” / Twitter
From People Magazine to Bleacher Report, Jalen and Jaylin have been garnering the post-draft consideration of media members throughout the nation. Many of those mentions are in humor, however when wanting previous the comedy of all of it, each Williams’ may play key roles for Oklahoma City this season.
Santa Clara alum Jalen Williams was the third participant chosen by the Thunder on this yr’s draft, however has appeared to carve out a bigger position in OKC’s rotation than his first yr counterparts. While Williams’ spectacular summer time league efficiency earned the Gilbert, Arizona, native a spot within the lineup, Chet Holmgren’s damage has additional cleared a runway for Williams to spend extra minutes on the ground.
The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 18 factors per recreation for the Broncos within the West Coast Conference final season, taking up the likes of Chet Holmgren and Gonzaga.
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In a February recreation towards the Zags, Williams was met by Holmgren on the perimeter. The Santa Clara star hesitated barely to his left, then shortly crossed again to his proper hand and bolted to the rim, leaving his future teammate middle within the mud.
Unlike Holmgren, Williams was calmly recruited in highschool; selecting up solely three provides. The Perry High School product was a three-star recruit who was ranked outdoors of the highest 200 gamers in his highschool class.
His teammate Jaylin Williams, however, was a four-star recruit who performed his faculty ball within the SEC. Hailing from Fort Smith, Arkansas, the 6-foot-10 ahead noticed extra consideration on the recruiting path, garnering a spot within the prime 90 prospects of the 2020 highschool class.
While in faculty, Williams was an all-conference participant and an all-region honoree within the NCAA event. The Razorback standout averaged a close to double-double with 10.9 factors and 9.8 rebounds per recreation throughout his ultimate season at Arkansas.
With Holmgren being sidelined for the 2022-23 season, a a lot bigger position has opened for Williams. Holmgren was set to alleviate the Thunder’s struggles defending and rebounding within the paint; the Arkansas alum will now bear extra of that duty.
In an interview, Jalen Williams revealed that his nickname is J-Dub, whereas Jaylin Williams goes by J-Will. J-Dub, the Santa Clara alum, will put on quantity eight this season and J-Will, the Arkansas product, will sport quantity six.
The collection of Jalen and Jaylin Williams has added a humorous, lighthearted storyline to observe over the summer time, however when the season begins, each Thunder rookies will start to write down their very own story.
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