9) Jaylin Williams
With the 34th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Thunder selected Jaylin Williams out of Arkansas. He was coming off a season where he set the NCAA record for charges drawn in a season at 54.
It’s safe to say that attribute has translated into the NBA as he finished tied for sixth in charges drawn this season and first in charges drawn per game when looking at per 36 statistics.
In 69 regular season games, Williams averaged 4.0 points a night, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists. While nothing to write home about, he did so while registering just 13.0 minutes a game, and when converting that to per 36 statistics he sat at 11.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per night.
J-Will brings some much-needed size to this Thunder team in his backup center role. Still standing at just 6-foot-9, he’s at a disadvantage in many of his matchups. That's where his selfless play and putting his body on the line for a charge pays off.
Charge it 💳 pic.twitter.com/D3uSK46s3r
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 25, 2024
Williams is able to stretch the floor, so even with Chet Holmgren out of the game Oklahoma City’s spacing isn’t really hurting.
J-Will is just another piece to this team’s elite chemistry. Teammate Isaiah Joe and him have played together for years. Going as far back as playing on the same high school team and suiting up together once again for the Razorbacks.
A selfless, team player, Jaylin Williams is one of the more underrated players on this promising young Thunder squad, and that’s why he comes in at number nine.