OKC Thunder: Jalen Williams Remains at No. 2 on NBA Rookie Ladder
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With the 2022-23 season winding down, the NBA’s newest crop is looking to end their season on a good note.
One such rookie who’s done a great job of that is Oklahoma City Thunder hybrid Jalen Williams, who rocketed up to No. 2 on the official NBA rookie ladder in recent weeks and has maintained his position there.
The twelfth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Williams’ stock has soared in the last few months, giving him a great case as the second-best rookie in the class in year one behind only Orlando’s Paolo Banchero.
With his efficiency and all-around game, some have even begun to think he could make a late push for the Rookie of the Year Award.
In his last 15 games, the former Santa Clara standout is averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game while showing 55 percent overall, 45 percent from beyond the arc and 87 percent from the line.
And it’s not just Williams that is reaping the benefits of his improved play.
The Oklahoma City Thunder now sit in the outright No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, just one full game back from the sixth seed and a guaranteed Playoffs berth. And Williams has been a catalyst for their recent success.
Banchero is the only rookie ahead of him on the official NBA rookie ladder. And while it will be a tall task to pass him and nab the coveted ROY award, Williams’ emergence has Oklahoma City in great position, regardless.
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