Jaylin Williams vs. Jalen Williams guide: How to tell the difference between Thunder teammates in NBA playoffs
Jaylin Williams vs. Jalen Williams guide: How to tell the difference between Thunder teammates in NBA playoffs initially appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Fueled by Jaylin and Jalen Williams, the Thunder have emerged as the league’s preeminent roster in latest seasons.
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With one NBA title in its grasp — and one other doubtlessly on the horizon — Oklahoma City has loads of standouts littered throughout its roster. Jaylin and Jalen are two of the most notable abilities on their roster, albeit for various causes. Whereas Jalen has emerged as an All-NBA-caliber possibility, Jaylin has confirmed a strong — albeit unassuming — position participant. He has additionally turn into a viral sensation, along with his face dancing throughout social media.
With names which can be virtually equivalent, it is easy to lose sight of which Williams is which. Here’s a complete information taking a look at the variations between the two.
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What quantity is Jaylin Williams?
Jaylin Williams is No. 6. The Arkansas product truly sported No. 10 whereas taking part in at Arkansas. Naturally, Jaylin sought to sport the digit at the subsequent degree. He had to get inventive after the Thunder chosen him with the No. 34 choose in the 2022 draft, nonetheless.
With Oklahoma City retiring No. 10 for Nate McMillan — a two-time All-Defensive choice who spent his total 12-year NBA profession with the SuperSonics — Jaylin went looking for a brand new digit. He landed on No. 6, telling reporters that his father chosen it for him.
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That determine would show particularly notable in the months to come. In Aug. 2022, the league introduced that it was retiring Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey for all 30 groups. Starting that season, groups weren’t allowed to challenge that quantity to any participant.
Players already sporting the digit prior to the announcement have been grandfathered in. After DeAndre Jordan’s contract expired with the Nuggetsthat left Jaylin as the solely participant in the league to put on No. 6. He will likely be the final participant in NBA historical past to rock Russell’s determine.
“I’m honored. I know the No. 6 was retired by the great Bill Russell,” Jaylin William mentioned forward of the begin of the 2025-26 season.
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Jaylin Williams stats
Here’s a have a look at Jaylin Williams’ numbers throughout his four-year NBA profession.
season | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | GSP | FG% | 3pt% |
2022-23 | 49 | 5.9 | 4.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 43.6% | 40.7% |
2023-24 | 69 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 41.7% | 36.8% |
2024-25 | 47 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 43.9% | 39.9% |
2025-26 | 65 | 7.2 | 5.5 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 42.3% | 38.3% |
Total | 230 | 5.7 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 42.8% | 38.7% |
What quantity is Jalen Williams?
Jalen Williams sports activities No. 8. While at Santa Clara, Jalen was draped in No. 24, a transparent nod to his sporting idol, Kobe Bryant.
“I just grew up watching him,” Jalen Williams mentioned in his Thunder introductory press convention in 2022. “Kobe kinda speaks for himself and the legacy that he has. You know, you’re hearing ‘Mamba Mentality.’ I kinda carry that into myself as well.”
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With No. 24 unavailable — Seattle retired it to pay tribute to Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood — Jalen went for No. 8. It has come an impressed alternative up to now.
Jalen Williams stats
Here’s what you want to learn about Jalen Williams’ numbers throughout his glistening four-year spell in Oklahoma City.
season | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | GSP | FG% | 3pt% |
2022-23 | 75 | 14.1 | 4.5 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 52.1% | 35.6% |
2023-24 | 71 | 19.1 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 54.0% | 42.7% |
2024-25 | 69 | 21.6 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 1.6 | 48.4% | 36.5% |
2025-26 | 33 | 17.1 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 1.2 | 48.4% | 29.9% |
Total | 248 | 18.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 50.9% | 37.4% |
Jaylin Williams vs. Jalen Williams: How to tell the difference
Jaylin and Jalen Williams share an awesome many similarities, chief amongst them that they are spindly abilities who shine on the Thunder’s all-world roster. Still, there are a good few methods to tell them aside.
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For starters, Jaylin is 4 inches taller than Jalen. If you see a hulking participant launching triples at a close to 40 p.c clip, that probably is Jaylin, not Jalen.
Jalen is extra of a setup man, utilizing his deal with, power and three-level scoring skill to wreak havoc on opposition defenses. By comparability, Jaylin has drawn plaudits for his power, screening skill and that aforementioned capturing stroke.
Jalen performs excess of his namesake. The Santa Clara alum has averaged almost two instances as many minutes as Jaylin over the course of his profession. Predictably, he is a much more productive participant, though the latter has produced a good few highlights throughout his profession.
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In phrases of aesthetics, each Jaylin and Jalen have tattoos. Jaylin’s are a bit extra noticeable — Jalen sometimes wears a capturing sleeve that cloaks his ink.
The Thunder have discovered a approach to efficiently differentiate between Jaylin and Jalen: giving them nicknames. Jaylin is J-Will, whereas Jalen is J-Dub.
Suffice to say, there are a good few methods to tell the difference between Jaylin and Jalen Williams. You simply have to concentrate to be sure you know the one you are speaking about.
