OKC Thunder: How Jalen Williams' Step-Back Jumper has Evolved Into a Lethal Tool
Jalen Williams is having a season worthy of Most Improved Player honors, easily, and it's clear as to why.
His maturation, which was superb even as a rookie, has continued to expand on the court. He's found great confidence as a shooter, upping his 3-point percentage by nearly a whole 10% thus far this season.
The Santa Clara product has continued to improve linearly this season, improving his production month by month. His points per game numbers for the months of this season steadily unveil his improvements as a multifaceted scorer: 15.5, 17.9, 18.8, 19.9 and 25.0.
He's shooting 54% on close to 14 shot attempts per game, that maturation has been reflected in his efficiency throughout his sophomore campaign. Williams has found his flow as the second option on this Thunder team, and has proved to be reliant time and time again in clutch moments down the stretch for the No. 2 seed in the West.
He sits at No. 12 in most fourth quarter points per game in the league with 7.0, surrounded by superstar names like Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others.
But what's been most impressive this season is his leap as a shooter off the dribble. Last season, his ability as a rim runner was imperative for the Thunder's ability to be one of the best offenses in transition. Now, still providing that same impact, he's added another layer to complement his extensive offensive contributions.
The step-back jumper is something he's found much success in. It's treated him very well in late-game situations, and has been arguably his strongest facet as a shooter who loves to let it fly off the dribble.
On 65 step-back attempts this season, he's hit a league-high 70.8% effective field goal percentage on a minimum of 30 attempts.
It's been a tool he's heavily relied on, and one that can continue to bring his offensive game to new heights in the back half of the season and into the playoffs, where Oklahoma City will have a viable spot at reaching the Western Conference finals.
There's still much more in store for the second-year do-it-all forward, and behind a superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and one of the best surrounding casts in the league, they'll be tough to deter.
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