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<\/p>\nJalen Williams\u2019 career is definitely at a high point right now in 2025. Not only did his team secure the long-awaited title, but he also majorly contributed in steering the ship\u2013 a 40-point performance in Game 5 that ensured a 3-2 lead was one of them.\u00a0However, things weren\u2019t always so rosy for the Denver-born forward. No, in fact, if you saw him as the 5\u201910\u2019 teenager he was in high school, you wouldn\u2019t think he ever had a chance of making it to the NBA.<\/p>\n
But after a growth spurt and a successful college career, that gap between the aspiring NBA player and the OKC Thunder sensation is a distant blur So, let\u2019s learn a little about it today. No, not the growth spurts, let\u2019s talk Jalen Williams\u2019 college career at Santa Clara.<\/p>\n
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Which college did Jalen Williams attend?<\/p>\n
In 2017, Hofstra University offered Jalen Williams a scholarship. His performance in the summer tournament, \u201cRumble in the Bronx,\u201d was why. Soon, Nevada\u2019s Santa Clara and Santa Barbara also followed suit in offering him scholarships. But he took things slow.<\/p>\n
It was only after he was named as a three-star prospect in November 2018 and became the 242nd-ranked recruit in his class that Jalen Williams committed to Santa Clara. Why didn\u2019t he receive offers from bigger schools? His high school coach, Sam Duane, wonders the same thing to this day.<\/p>\n
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via Imago<\/p>\n
CHICAGO, IL \u2013 OCTOBER 26: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams 8 brings the ball up court during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on October 26, 2024 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez\/Icon Sportswire NBA, Basketball Herren, USA OCT 26 Thunder at Bulls EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon24102655<\/p>\n
\u201cFor whatever reason, he flew under the radar. A lot of people missed him. But he knew he was good. And he always played with a chip on his shoulder, wanting to show people that he was good,\u201d said<\/a> Duane. And with the benefit of hindsight in 2025, let\u2019s just say \u2014 mission accomplished!<\/p>\n Actually, that mission was successfully completed at the end of his tenure at Santa Clara. Don\u2019t believe us? Here\u2019s his stats for you.<\/p>\n Jalen Williams NCAA stats<\/p>\n Despite his immense potential, Jalen Williams didn\u2019t hit the ground running as a scorer when he arrived at Santa Clara. Instead, he built a reputation as a tenacious defender who could get the ball off anyone, averaging only 7.7 points per game as a freshman.<\/p>\n But in his sophomore year, he was able to improve drastically, with nearly all his numbers going up.<\/p>\n YEARPOSGPGSMPGFG%3p%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG2019\/20G332325.543.6%35.2%76.3%2.81.91.30.57.72020\/21G181831.639.9%27.4%75.7%4.12.31.20.611.52021\/22G333334.851.3%39.6%80.9%4.44.21.20.518.0Career847430.546.9%35.2%78.5%3.72.91.20.512.6<\/p>\n And as you can see, by his final year, Jalen Williams had ascended. He had ascended into another echelon as a player and had vindicated his coach\u2019s belief in him. And rather unsurprisingly, he declared for the NBA Draft after his junior year. He forewent his final year of college eligibility and hasn\u2019t looked back since.<\/p>\n But these stats won\u2019t show you the full picture. Jalen Williams achieved a lot during his 3 years at Santa Clara. And it started in his freshman year despite his struggles on the offensive end of the court.<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Jalen Williams College Career<\/p>\n Jalen Williams walked onto campus and, you see, his defensive hustles instantly turned heads. Soon, he made his way onto Santa Clara\u2019s all-time steals list. He earned that starting spot before many had even caught their breath. It wasn\u2019t long before coaches and teammates were talking about his relentless motor and fierce competitiveness.<\/p>\n Now, moving into year two, Williams became the Broncos\u2019 go\u2011to guy in key moments\u2014consistency was his calling card. He earned Second Team All\u2011WCC buzz and, in front of packed arenas during the conference tournament, he showed up when it mattered most by hauling in his first career double\u2011double. You could tell he thrived on the big stage.<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n All in all, junior season felt like the payoff. Williams snagged First Team All\u2011WCC honors and Second Team NABC All\u2011District accolades, plus he was a finalist for the Lou Henson Award, celebrating the nation\u2019s top mid\u2011major talent. He also cracked the 1,000\u2011point club, and by the end of March, he declared for the NBA Draft.<\/p>\n Fast forward to 2025, and Jalen Williams has shattered even the high expectations everyone had of him heading out of Santa Clara. His heroics for the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> had a Celtics legend comparing him to superheroes.<\/a> And with him and his team getting the chip this year, that\u2019s exactly what he will be to the residents of Oklahoma City!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jalen Williams\u2019 career is definitely at a high point right now in 2025. 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