Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a headshot on September 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a headshot on October 2, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a headshot on September 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a headshot on October 2, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams were both drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022.
Despite having near-identical names and playing on the same NBA team, Jalen and Jaylin are not related. While Jalen was picked up at No. 12 in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jaylin was selected as No. 34. In addition to Jalen and Jaylin, the OKC Thunder also have Kenrich Williams as a small forward.
"I think it is pretty rare to have somebody with the same exact name as you," Jalen said during a joint press conference in June 2022, per USA Today. "It was kinda surreal."
Since getting drafted together, the two have remained close friends and frequently share photos playing together on the court. The two are currently vying for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy alongside their Thunder teammates as they face off against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, beginning June 6.
Here's everything to know about Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams ahead of the NBA Finals.
Are Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams related?
Jaylin Williams #6 celebrates with Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game on February 13, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.
Jaylin Williams #6 celebrates with Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game on February 13, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.
Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams are not related. Jalen hails from Arizona and was born in April 2001, while Jaylin is from Arkansas and was born in June 2002. Despite not being related, the two are still close friends and have joked about how similar their names are.
What have they said about the coincidence?
Jaylin Williams and Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jaylin Williams and Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After both Jaylin and Jalen were drafted by the Thunder in 2022, they held a joint press conference where they laughed and reflected on the coincidence.
"It was funny because we had to do a lot of interviews (at the draft)," Jaylin said at the time. "Somehow, even though we could go to every interview whenever we wanted, he and I would always end up in the same room at the same time. We were always like, 'Bro, go somewhere else!' "
Meanwhile, the Thunder also had some fun with their names and had the two athletes recreate the Spider-Man meme of the two superheroes pointing at each other while wearing the same suit.
"now y'all can use the legit photo," the team captioned the photo on X on June 26, 2022.
They have different nicknames for their teammates
Jalen Williams #8 and Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder pose for a portrait on September 26, 2022 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Jalen Williams #8 and Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder pose for a portrait on September 26, 2022 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Since neither one of them can totally go by their first or last names, Jaylin and Jalen had to get creative with how their teammates and coaches would call them.
"I go by 'J-Dub' and (he) is 'Jay Will' so we've kinda been figuring that out since we got here," Jalen explained in 2022.
Even the OKC general manager, Sam Presti, had to find a way to differentiate their names at the time of their draft.
"Presti is referring to two of his draft picks as 'Jalen Williams Santa Clara' and 'Jaylin Williams Arkansas.' What a night," Oklahoma Sports reporter Joe Mussatto wrote on X at the time.
Where did Jalen Williams grow up and go to college?
Jalen Williams #24 of the Santa Clara Broncos during the West Coast Conference basketball tournament quarterfinals on March 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jalen Williams #24 of the Santa Clara Broncos during the West Coast Conference basketball tournament quarterfinals on March 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jalen was born in Colorado but moved to Gilbert, Ariz., when he was 7 years old and eventually played for Perry High School. Jalen went on to play college basketball at Santa Clara University in 2019 and played for the Broncos for three years before entering the NBA draft. He became the first player from Santa Clara to be drafted in the NBA since Steve Nash in 1996, according to Santa Clara Magazine.
Since starting his professional career with the Thunder, Jalen has played as a forward and has had an impressive first few years with the team. In 2023, he was recognized for his talent by earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, alongside Paolo Banchero, Walker Kessler, Bennedict Mathurin and Keegan Murray.
In 2025, he was selected as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Karl-Anthony Towns and James Harden.
Where did Jaylin Williams grow up and go to college?
Jaylin Williams #10 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 24, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
Jaylin Williams #10 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 24, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
Jaylin Williams hails from Fort Smith, Ark. He started his basketball career by playing at Northside High School alongside his future OKC Thunder teammate Isaiah Joe. After a successful high school basketball career, he committed to the University of Arkansas. He played for the Razorbacks from 2020 to 2022 before entering the NBA Draft.
"I just really like challenges," Jaylin told For The Win in June 2022. "I like playing against guys that are the top dogs. I like being the underdog. That’s always been my thing."
Do either of them have brothers in the NBA?
Cody Williams #5 of the Utah Jazz and Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder swap jerseys after the game on February 21, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cody Williams #5 of the Utah Jazz and Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder swap jerseys after the game on February 21, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Although Jaylin and Jalen Williams are not related, Jalen does have a brother in the NBA.
Jalen's younger brother, Cody Williams, who was born in 2004, plays for the Utah Jazz. Just like Jalen, Cody has had a successful start to his career. Cody played college basketball at the University of Colorado Boulder and became one of the top players in his class. When Cody entered the 2024 NBA Draft, the Jazz selected him as the 10th overall pick.
Although Jalen and Cody play on competing teams, they've still expressed their gratitude for both being in the NBA and frequently post pictures with each other.
In February 2025, Jalen posted a series of photos of him playing against Cody and captioned the pictures, "God is good !"