Born in Denver, Colorado, on April 14, 2001, Jalen Williams' life took a big turn when he moved to Arizona at age 7. His parents, Ronald and Nicole Williams, were both members of the U.S. Air Force and ingrained in his discipline and hard work. That military background would later shape his approach to the game.
Williams attended Perry High School, in Gilbert, Arizona, and this is where the magic began. An uncanny growth spurt saw him grow a full eight inches between his sophomore and senior years, thereby changing him from an average player into a stand-out athlete.
CAPTION: From freshman dreams to senior realities. SOURCE: Instagram This bodily change, along with his commitment, set the setting for his future success.
At Santa Clara University, Williams became an instant focal point. In three years, he started 74 of his 84 career appearances and was named a First-team All-WCC selection his junior year, when he averaged 18.0 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
He shot 56 percent from 2-point range and 41 percent beyond the arc. His junior year was capped off by being one of the finalists for the Lou Henson Award, given to one of the top mid-major players in the nation.
It all came to an end with the 2022 NBA Draft when talented youngster Williams finally found his place as the selection list's 12th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
CAPTION: Living proof that hard work pays off. Here’s to the NBA and everything to come! SOURCE: Instagram The selection came as both a testament to his hard work and the potential he had come to show during his college years.
Instantly, Williams impressed as a rookie. He was the third Thunder rookie to reach 25 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in one game, placing him in very illustrious company with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. That showed he was able to adapt to the NBA level relatively quickly.
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Williams can play both the shooting guard and power forward position; that is just how versatile he is on the court. So for this season, 2023-24, he has averaged 18.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, and he should feature heavily in the lineup for the Thunder.
Still, amid all his busy schedules, Williams managed to major in communication at Santa Clara University. That shows just how full his personality is.
CAPTION: Just as important as any game day: giving back to where it all started. Grateful to be able to make a difference. SOURCE: Instagram
He is the past president of Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit from high school.
Only 23 years old, the future is still bright for Jalen Williams in the NBA. With his build at 6'5" and weighing 211 lbs, he couples this physical capability with hard work and great awareness on the court. As he continues to grow and develop, Williams will be among the mainstays of whatever the Oklahoma City Thunder embark on.
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