Since being selected by the OKC Thunder during the 2022 NBA Draft, Jalen Williams has taken the fanbase by storm.
The rising star possesses an energy so full of charisma and emotion that he's hard not to notice both on and off the hardwood.
Williams displays a similar energy with his tattoos, something he's become known for among basketball circles. The 23-year-old's newest tattoo is of former WWE superstar, Jeff Hardy.
Williams very well may have grown up a fan of Hardy, and there are clear comparisons that can be made between the two athletes.
Thunder forward Jalen Williams is the NBA's Jeff Hardy
Fan Draw
Jalen Williams has become a beloved member of this Thunder team. A very strong case can be made that he's the biggest fan-favorite since former MVP Russell Westbrook.
After any Williams highlight play, Paycom Center erupts and mimicks his signature bark.
Similarly, Jeff Hardy used to have wrestling fans around the world dancing with him to his theme song on every show.
Late-Game Heroics
It was apparent throughout Jeff Hardy's time in WWE that the character was willing to do anything to win.
Fans could never count Hardy out of a match, no matter how over it seemed. He consistently came through with late-match efforts to keep the dream alive.
If this sounds familiar to Thunder fans, it's because Jalen Williams draws this same kind of attention.
He's grown accustomed to having the ball in his hands for many fourth-quarter situations while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rests on the bench. With four or fewer seconds on the shot clock, the 6-foot-5 forward shoots a whopping 55.6 percent from the field.
His ability to thrive in high-pressure situations also translates to the fourth quarter, as Williams averages nearly seven points per game in this period while shooting 48 percent.
Whether it's Hardy or Williams, fans of both can feel comfortable letting them control the game when it's crunch time.
Brothers... Kind Of!
Hardy spent much of his career as part of a tag team with his brother, Matt. The high-flyer's ability to work in a duo is what originally led to his success within the company.
Coined as "The Hardy Boyz," Matt and Jeff developed a chemistry together unlike any other tag team in the WWE.
However, this in-ring chemistry would not have been so strong had the duo not been so tight-knit out of the ring.
While Jalen Williams does have a younger brother in the NBA in Utah Jazz wing Cody Williams, that's actually not who his Matt Hardy equivalent is.
When Jalen was drafted in 2022, the Thunder also selected Arkansas big man Jaylin Williams. NBA fans were quick to point out the fact that the teammates shared the same name, leading to an instant connection between the two.
The youngsters were crucial in the revitalization of joy in Thunder basketball following two brutal seasons.