Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams Named to All-Rookie First Team

To nobody's surprise, Jalen Williams was named to the NBA's All-Rookie First Team, the league announced Monday. With the selection, Williams joins Russell Westbrook as the only other Thunder player to receive First Team honors.

Joining Williams on the All-Rookie First Team is Paolo Banchero — the NBA's Rookie of the Year, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, Indiana's Bennedict Mathurin and Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings.

The 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team:

▪️ Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
▪️ Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
▪️ Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
▪️ Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
▪️ Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder pic.twitter.com/qUMfWkTN4m
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 8, 2023

In 75 total games, Williams averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Even more impressive, the Santa Clara product shot 52.1% from the floor, 35.6% from 3-point range and 81.2% from the free throw line. At times, J-Dub seemed like the best player on the floor and shouldered the Thunder’s scoring load when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed time.

Oklahoma City netted three lottery picks in last summer’s draft, including Chet Holmgren at No. 2 and Ousmane Dieng at No. 11. It ended up being Williams, the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, who made the biggest splash of the season.

Holmgren, the Thunder's highest drafted prospect since Kevin Durant, was sidelined for the season after a foot injury late in the summer. Williams certainly made up for the loss, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting and securing a spot on the All-Rookie First Team.

J-Dub starred at Santa Clara for three years in college, making him one of the most polished players projected in the first round. After a strong combine performance, he began to shoot up draft boards and add to his impressive resume. The Thunder selected him in the lottery, which caught quite a few people off guard, but Sam Presti saw a potential star in the making.

In addition to Williams' selection, Oklahoma City's second-round steal received votes, too.

Jaylin Williams played heavy minutes down the stretch and made the most of his opportunity, becoming a reliable shooter from 3-point range and an unbelievable charge-taker. J-Will averaged 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while shooting 40.7% from long distance. Williams netted seven total points, including a single First Team vote.

Want to join the discussion? Like SI Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.