Jaylin Williams (basketball, born 2002)

Last updated

Jaylin Williams
No. 6–Oklahoma City Thunder
Position Center / power forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2002-06-29) June 29, 2002 (age 22)
Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school Northside (Fort Smith, Arkansas)
College Arkansas (2020–2022)
NBA draft 2022: 2nd round, 34th overall pick
Selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–present Oklahoma City Thunder
2022 →Oklahoma City Blue
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Jaylin Michael Williams (born June 29, 2002), [1] nicknamed J-Will, is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was selected by the Thunder in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft.

Contents

High school career

Williams played basketball for Northside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was teammates with Isaiah Joe, later his professional teammate with the Thunder. [2] As a sophomore, he helped his team reach the Class 7A state final. [3] In his junior season, Williams averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per game, [4] and was named Arkansas Division I Player of the Year by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. [5] He led his team to the Class 6A state title and was named tournament MVP after recording 20 points and 16 rebounds in the title game. [6] As a senior, Williams averaged 18.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, earning Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year honors and repeating as Arkansas Division I Player of the Year. [7] [8] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Arkansas over an offer from Auburn, among other programs. [9]

College career

As a freshman at Arkansas, Williams averaged 3.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. [10] He became a regular starter in his sophomore season. [11] Williams averaged 10.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, receiving first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors from the league's coaches. He was a second-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press and made the All-Defensive Team. [4] Williams led the NCAA Division I with 54 charges drawn and grabbed 364 rebounds, setting a program single-season record. He declared for the NBA draft and opted to forgo his remaining college eligibility. [12]

Professional career

Oklahoma City Thunder (2022–present)

Williams was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft with the 34th overall pick, becoming the first player of Vietnamese descent to be drafted in the NBA. [13] [14] Williams joined the Thunder's 2022 NBA Summer League team. [15] In his Summer League debut, Williams scored two points and six rebounds in a 98–77 win against the Utah Jazz in the Salt Lake City Summer League. [16] On July 19, 2022, Williams signed with the Thunder. [17]

Personal life

Williams grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His mother, Linda Williams, was born in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, and moved to the United States in 1975 after the Vietnam War. [18] Williams is the first player of Vietnamese descent to play in the NBA. [18]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022–23 Oklahoma City 493618.7.436.407.7044.91.6.6.25.9
2023–24 Oklahoma City 69113.0.417.3688053.41.6.4.44.0
Career1183715.3.426.385.7474.01.6.5.34.8

Play-in

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2023 Oklahoma City 2227.4.429.273.5007.04.0.51.08.0
Career2227.4.429.273.5007.04.0.51.08.0

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2024 Oklahoma City 10012.7.485.409.7503.21.5.4.34.4
Career10012.7.485.409.7503.21.5.4.34.4

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Smith (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1975)

Joseph Leynard Smith is an American former professional basketball player. A power forward, he played for 12 teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during his 16-year career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northside High School (Fort Smith, Arkansas)</span> Public school in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States

Northside High School is one of two public high schools in the city of Fort Smith, Arkansas, both of which are administered by the Fort Smith School District. Within the state, the school is commonly known as Fort Smith Northside.

Steven Hill is an American former professional basketball player. A 7-foot (2.1 m) center, he attended University of Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mustapha Farrakhan Jr.</span> American basketball player

Mustapha Farrakhan Jr. is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Virginia. Farrakhan has also played in the NBA Summer League, the NBA G League, and the Australian National Basketball League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Muscala</span> American basketball player (born 1991)

Michael Peter Muscala is an American former professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons. He played college basketball for the Bucknell Bison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Qualls</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Michael Rashad Qualls is an American professional basketball player for Borneo Hornbills of the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and is most notably remembered for his go-ahead slam dunk with 0.2 seconds left in overtime against Kentucky in 2014.

The 2015–16 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 8th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 50th in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the first under head coach Billy Donovan. After coming just short of making the playoffs the previous season, the Thunder won the Northwest Division and clinched the third seed in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, the Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the First Round, and the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the Semifinals before reaching the Western Conference finals for the fourth time in a span of six seasons, but were eliminated by the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in seven games after leading the series 3–1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Hervey</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Kevin Hervey is an American professional basketball player for Pallacanestro Reggiana of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played college basketball for UT Arlington.

Kenrich Lo Williams, nicknamed "Kenny Hustle", is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the TCU Horned Frogs of the Big 12 Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Gafford</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Daniel Gafford is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. He plays both the power forward and center positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakari Johnson</span> American basketball player (born 1995)

Dakari Naeem Johnson is an American professional basketball player for Anhui Wenyi of the NBL, the Second tier of professional basketball in China. He played college basketball for the University of Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Joe</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Derrick Isaiah Joe is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Jones (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Mason Christopher Jones is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Connors State Cowboys and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ousmane Dieng</span> French basketball player (born 2003)

Ousmane Dieng is a French professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moses Moody</span> American basketball player (born 2002)

Moses Josiah Moody is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Smith (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Justin Smith is an American professional basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davonte Davis</span> American basketball player

Davonte "Devo" Davis is an American college basketball player for the Oklahoma State Cowboys of the Big 12 Conference. He previously played for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The 2022–23 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 15th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 57th in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Council IV</span> American basketball player

Ricky Nickardo Council IV is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wichita State Shockers and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Walsh</span> American basketball player (born 2004)

Jordan E. Walsh is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class. As a rookie with the 2023–24 Boston Celtics, Walsh won a NBA championship as a reserve.

References

  1. ↑ "Jaylin Michael Williams". FIBA. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ Allen, Nate (November 27, 2021). "Fort Smith Northside duo contribute big at Arkansas". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette . Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  3. ↑ Dawson, Dudley E. (April 7, 2018). "Fort Smith Northside's Williams continues sprouting up". WholeHogSports. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Jaylin Williams". Arkansas Razorbacks. July 6, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  5. ↑ "DI Boys Player of the Year: Jaylin Williams • FS Northside". The Northwest Arkansas Times . April 7, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  6. ↑ Taylor, Erick (March 9, 2019). "'Humble' Northside earns respect". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette . Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Williams named Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year". Southwest Times Record . March 27, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  8. ↑ Boyd, Paul (March 27, 2020). "All-NWADG Basketball: Williams expands game looking to college". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette . Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  9. ↑ Davenport, Richard (November 23, 2019). "Fort Smith Northside's Jaylin Williams commits to Arkansas". The Northwest Arkansas Times . Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  10. ↑ Jones, Taylor (March 2, 2022). "Jaylin Williams Deserves More Respect". Razorbacks Wire. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ Collier, Jackson (May 21, 2022). "2021-22 Season in Review: Jaylin Williams". Rivals . Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  12. ↑ Whaley, Logan (May 30, 2022). "Jaylin Williams staying in NBA Draft, will not return to Arkansas". KY3. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  13. ↑ Coleman, Sarah (June 24, 2022). "Jaylin Williams Picked by the Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Draft". About You. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  14. ↑ David, Juan (January 21, 2023). "Jaylin Williams' Vietnamese descent: Who are Jaylin Williams' parents, and what history did he create when he was drafted by OKC Thunder?" . Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Oklahoma City Thunder 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Oklahoma City Thunder vs Utah Jazz Jul 5, 2022 Box Scores | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Thunder Signs Second-Round Pick Jaylin Williams". www.nba.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  18. 1 2 Mussatto, Joe (January 26, 2023). "Thunder rookie Jaylin Williams has support of OKC's Vietnamese community". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.