Jaylin Williams

Talented teams of the NBA’s eight-decade-long past have sometimes found themselves guilty of, perhaps, having “too much depth.” But, for future franchises looking for a blueprint in avoiding similar “problems,” they need not look any further than NBA history’s youngest-ever No. 1 seed. Accepting the opportunity to play an alpha dog-type role for the shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaylin Williams mixes ambition with unselfishness, tracking down a 3-point misfire before immediately raising his antennas for any could-be cutters. Putting the cameramen to work through a behind-the-back feed that arrives before his teammate enters the frame, Williams collects a must-see highlight, setting the stage for an arena-igniting jam. 32-point blowout wins with two All-Stars missing simply isn’t the norm, but on March 19, 2025, Williams’ efforts helped the Thunder defy odds once more. Video game-like in his end-of-game numbers, Oklahoma City’s third-year big enjoyed a 19-point, 17-rebound, 11-assist breakout against the Philadelphia 76ers, alongside standout efficiency (7-of-11 shooting) and three 3-pointers.

Championship Year