Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams is drawing attention for his performance during the NBA playoffs. The third-year player has seen increased minutes and is making an impact on the court as the team faces the Denver Nuggets.
Williams was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arkansas. He grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, located about 180 miles east of Oklahoma City.
He played high school basketball alongside current Thunder player Isaiah Joe, and later they were teammates at the University of Arkansas.
Jaylin Williams' family includes his parents, Michael and Linda Williams, and four siblings. His mother, Linda Williams, was born in Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She moved to the United States in 1975 with her mother.
This background makes Jaylin Williams the first player of Vietnamese descent to play in the NBA.
The Thunder forward is not related to teammate Jalen Williams, who was also drafted by Oklahoma City in the 2022 draft.
Williams provided key minutes during Game 2 of the Thunder-Nuggets playoff series. In a three-minute span in the first half, Oklahoma City outscored Denver 10-2 while he was on the floor. A lineup featuring Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren recorded a defensive rating of 40 during that time.
He has been a reliable player for the Thunder throughout the season, often serving as the primary backup center. His ability to play alongside other big men adds flexibility to the lineup.
Williams performed well after the All-Star break, demonstrating improved shooting accuracy from the 3-point line and contributing multiple triple doubles. His demeanor on the court appears to energize both fans and teammates.
For the 2024-25 season, Jaylin Williams averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He played in 47 games, including nine starts, averaging 16.7 minutes.
His mother, Linda Williams, commented in 2023, “It never dawned on us he would be. It’s so special to our family, to Jaylin … I’m still in awe of my son and what he’s capable of doing.”
