Jaylin Williams

Jaylin Michael Williams (born June 29, 2002),[1] also known by his nicknames Boom, or 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.

Not to be confused with Jalen Williams.
For the American football player, see Jaylin Williams (American football).

Jaylin Williams
No. 6 – Oklahoma City Thunder
PositionCenter / power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2002-06-29) June 29, 2002
Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High schoolNorthside
(Fort Smith, Arkansas)
CollegeArkansas (2020–2022)
NBA draft2022: 2nd round, 34th overall pick
Selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–presentOklahoma City Thunder
2022→Oklahoma City Blue
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-SEC – Coaches (2022)
  • Second-team All-SEC – AP (2022)
  • SEC All-Defensive Team (2022)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

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. He is the first player of Vietnamese descent to play in the NBA.[18]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games 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

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022–23 Oklahoma City 493618.7.436.407.7044.91.6.6.25.9
Career 493618.7.436.407.7044.91.6.6.25.9

Play-in
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 Oklahoma City 2227.4.429.273.5007.04.0.51.08.0
Career 2227.4.429.273.5007.04.0.51.08.0

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. "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. "Thunder rookie Jaylin Williams has support of OKC's Vietnamese community".
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