Are Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams Related? All About the Oklahoma City Thunder Teammates Who Share Similar Names

Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams were some drafted by nan Oklahoma City Thunder successful 2022.

Despite having near-identical names and playing connected nan aforesaid NBA team, Jalen and Jaylin are not related. While Jalen was picked up astatine No. 12 successful nan 2022 NBA Draft, Jaylin was selected arsenic No. 34. In summation to Jalen and Jaylin, nan OKC Thunder besides person Kenrich Williams arsenic a mini forward.

"I deliberation it is beautiful uncommon to person personification pinch nan aforesaid nonstop sanction arsenic you," Jalen said during a associated property convention successful June 2022, per USA Today. "It was kinda surreal."

Since getting drafted together, nan 2 person remained adjacent friends and often stock photos playing together connected nan court. The 2 are presently vying for nan Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy alongside their Thunder teammates arsenic they look disconnected against nan Indiana Pacers successful nan NBA Finals, opening June 6.

Here's everything to cognize astir Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams up of nan NBA Finals.

Are Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams related?

Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams are not related. Jalen hails from Arizona and was calved successful April 2001, while Jaylin is from Arkansas and was calved successful June 2002. Despite not being related, nan 2 are still adjacent friends and person joked astir really akin their names are.

What person they said astir nan coincidence?

After some Jaylin and Jalen were drafted by nan Thunder successful 2022, they held a associated property convention wherever they laughed and reflected connected nan coincidence.

"It was funny because we had to do a batch of interviews (at nan draft)," Jaylin said astatine nan time. "Somehow, moreover though we could spell to each question and reply whenever we wanted, he and I would ever extremity up successful nan aforesaid room astatine nan aforesaid time. We were ever like, 'Bro, spell location else!' "

Meanwhile, nan Thunder besides had immoderate nosy pinch their names and had nan 2 athletes recreate nan Spider-Man meme of nan 2 superheroes pointing astatine each different while wearing nan aforesaid suit.

"now y'all tin usage nan legit photo," nan squad captioned nan photograph connected X connected June 26, 2022.

They person different nicknames for their teammates

Since neither 1 of them tin wholly spell by their first aliases past names, Jaylin and Jalen had to get imaginative pinch really their teammates and coaches would telephone them.

"I spell by 'J-Dub' and (he) is 'Jay Will' truthful we've kinda been figuring that retired since we sewage here," Jalen explained successful 2022.

Even nan OKC wide manager, Sam Presti, had to find a measurement to differentiate their names astatine nan clip of their draft.

"Presti is referring to 2 of his draught picks arsenic 'Jalen Williams Santa Clara' and 'Jaylin Williams Arkansas.' What a night," Oklahoma Sports newsman Joe Mussatto wrote connected X astatine nan time.

Where did Jalen Williams turn up and spell to college?

Jalen was calved successful Colorado but moved to Gilbert, Ariz., erstwhile he was 7 years aged and yet played for Perry High School. Jalen went connected to play assemblage hoops astatine Santa Clara University successful 2019 and played for nan Broncos for 3 years earlier entering nan NBA draft. He became nan first subordinate from Santa Clara to beryllium drafted successful nan NBA since Steve Nash successful 1996, according to Santa Clara Magazine.

Since starting his master profession pinch nan Thunder, Jalen has played arsenic a guardant and has had an awesome first fewer years pinch nan team. In 2023, he was recognized for his talent by earning a spot connected nan NBA All-Rookie First Team, alongside Paolo Banchero, Walker Kessler, Bennedict Mathurin and Keegan Murray.

In 2025, he was selected arsenic a reserve for nan 2025 NBA All-Star Game, alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Karl-Anthony Towns and James Harden.

Where did Jaylin Williams turn up and spell to college?

Jaylin Williams hails from Fort Smith, Ark. He started his hoops profession by playing astatine Northside High School alongside his early OKC Thunder teammate Isaiah Joe. After a successful precocious schoolhouse hoops career, he committed to nan University of Arkansas. He played for nan Razorbacks from 2020 to 2022 earlier entering nan NBA Draft.

"I conscionable really for illustration challenges," Jaylin told For The Win successful June 2022. "I for illustration playing against guys that are nan apical dogs. I for illustration being nan underdog. That’s ever been my thing."

Do either of them person brothers successful nan NBA?

Although Jaylin and Jalen Williams are not related, Jalen does person a relative successful nan NBA.

Jalen's younger brother, Cody Williams, who was calved successful 2004, plays for nan Utah Jazz. Just for illustration Jalen, Cody has had a successful commencement to his career. Cody played assemblage hoops astatine nan University of Colorado Boulder and became 1 of nan apical players successful his class. When Cody entered nan 2024 NBA Draft, nan Jazz selected him arsenic nan 10th wide pick.

Although Jalen and Cody play connected competing teams, they've still expressed their gratitude for some being successful nan NBA and often station pictures pinch each other.

In February 2025, Jalen posted a bid of photos of him playing against Cody and captioned nan pictures, "God is bully !"