Jalen Williams went to the NBA Combine last May with a mission to prove himself. Few projected first-round picks participated in the five-on-five portion of the combine, but Williams was intent on playing.
“Coming from Santa Clara, a lot of my criticism was if I could play with top talent,” Williams said.
Then he paused, letting that thought linger.
“I feel like I dispelled that a little bit,” he deadpanned.
On Monday, Williams was named to the All-Rookie first team, becoming the second rookie (Russell Westbrook) in Thunder history to make the first team.
The 6-foot-6 guard from Gilbert, Arizona, averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Williams finished second to Magic forward Paolo Banchero in the Rookie of the Year race.
Banchero and Williams were joined on the first team by Jazz center Walker Kessler, Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Kings forward Keegan Murray.
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Williams received 99 of 100 first-team votes.
His rookie teammate, Jaylin Williams, received one first-team vote. It’s likely someone confused Jalen, the guard from Santa Clara, with Jaylin, the center from Arkansas. Individual votes will be made public after all awards are announced.
Jaylin Williams, the center, received five second-team votes in addition to his one first-team vote. He was the only player who did not make one of the two teams to receive a first-place vote, which probably confirms a voting error.
Jaylin Williams led the NBA in charges drawn (43), while the other Jalen Williams showcased an all-around skillset.
Jalen Williams, a three-year college player, was a late riser up draft boards. The Thunder selected him with the No. 12 pick, which was earlier than most mock draft projections.
While Thunder general manager Sam Presti downplayed the significance of Williams playing in the combine, saying, “If he didn’t play I wouldn’t have held that against him,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault came away impressed.
“Even guys who feel like they’re solid second-round picks won’t play in the combine, and he played the first day of the combine, played really well,” Daigneault said.
Instead of shutting it down, Williams came back the next day and played again.
“And he played better the second day,” Daigneault said.
Williams said he didn’t know any better.
“I wanted to play,” he said.
That competitiveness was a theme throughout Williams’ rookie season.
“I don’t think people should ever take that for granted,” Presti said. “If he’s still bringing that level of strength and effort three and four years in, he’ll be a significantly better player than people think he will be now.”
First team All-Rookie
Paolo Banchero, Orlando
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City
Walker Kessler, Utah
Keegan Murray, Sacramento
Benedict Mathurin, Indiana
Second team All-Rookie
Jaden Ivey, Detroit
Jalen Duren, Detroit
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston
Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio
Tari Eason, Houston
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder guard Jalen Williams makes NBA All-Rookie first team