Jaylin Williams vs. Jalen Williams guide: How to tell the difference between Thunder teammates in NBA playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Fueled by Jaylin and Jalen Williams, the Thunder have emerged as the league’s preeminent roster in recent seasons.
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With one NBA title in its grasp — and another potentially on the horizon — Oklahoma City has plenty of standouts littered across its roster. Jaylin and Jalen are two of the most notable talents on their roster, albeit for different reasons. Whereas Jalen has emerged as an All-NBA-caliber option, Jaylin has proven a solid — albeit unassuming — role player. He also has become a viral sensation, with his face dancing across social media.
With names that are practically identical, it’s easy to lose sight on which Williams is which. Here’s a comprehensive guide looking at the differences between the two.
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What number is Jaylin Williams?
Jaylin Williams is No. 6. The Arkansas product actually sported No. 10 while playing at Arkansas. Naturally, Jaylin sought to sport the digit at the next level. He had to get creative after the Thunder selected him with the No. 34 pick in the 2022 draft, however.
With Oklahoma City retiring No. 10 for Nate McMillan — a two-time All-Defensive selection who spent his entire 12-year NBA career with the SuperSonics — Jaylin went shopping for a new digit. He landed on No. 6, telling reporters that his father selected it for him.
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That figure would prove especially notable in the months to come. In Aug. 2022, the league announced that it was retiring Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey for all 30 teams. Starting that season, teams weren’t allowed to issue that number to any player.
Players already sporting the digit prior the announcement were grandfathered in. After DeAndre Jordan’s contract expired with the Nuggets, that left Jaylin as the only player in the league to wear No. 6. He will be the last player in NBA history to rock Russell’s figure.
“I’m honored. I know the No. 6 was retired by the great Bill Russell,” Jaylin William said ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season.
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Jaylin Williams stats
Here’s a look at Jaylin Williams’ numbers across his four-year NBA career.
|
Season |
Games |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3pt% |
|
2022-23 |
49 |
5.9 |
4.9 |
1.6 |
0.6 |
43.6% |
40.7% |
|
2023-24 |
69 |
4.0 |
3.4 |
1.6 |
0.4 |
41.7% |
36.8% |
|
2024-25 |
47 |
5.9 |
5.6 |
2.6 |
0.5 |
43.9% |
39.9% |
|
2025-26 |
65 |
7.2 |
5.5 |
2.4 |
0.5 |
42.3% |
38.3% |
|
Total |
230 |
5.7 |
4.8 |
2.0 |
0.5 |
42.8% |
38.7% |
What number is Jalen Williams?
Jalen Williams sports No. 8. While at Santa Clara, Jalen was draped in No. 24, a clear nod to his sporting idol, Kobe Bryant.
“I just grew up watching him,” Jalen Williams said in his Thunder introductory press conference in 2022. “Kobe kinda speaks for himself and the legacy that he has. You know, you’re hearing ‘Mamba Mentality.’ I kinda carry that into myself as well.”
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With No. 24 unavailable — Seattle retired it to pay tribute to Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood — Jalen went for No. 8. It has proven an inspired choice so far.
Jalen Williams stats
Here’s what you need to know about Jalen Williams’ numbers across his glistening four-year spell in Oklahoma City.
|
Season |
Games |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3pt% |
|
2022-23 |
75 |
14.1 |
4.5 |
3.3 |
1.4 |
52.1% |
35.6% |
|
2023-24 |
71 |
19.1 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
1.1 |
54.0% |
42.7% |
|
2024-25 |
69 |
21.6 |
5.3 |
5.1 |
1.6 |
48.4% |
36.5% |
|
2025-26 |
33 |
17.1 |
4.6 |
5.5 |
1.2 |
48.4% |
29.9% |
|
Total |
248 |
18.0 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
1.3 |
50.9% |
37.4% |
Jaylin Williams vs. Jalen Williams: How to tell the difference
Jaylin and Jalen Williams share a great many similarities, chief among them that they’re spindly talents who shine on the Thunder’s all-world roster. Still, there are a fair few ways to tell them apart.
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For starters, Jaylin is four inches taller than Jalen. If you see a hulking player launching triples at a near 40 percent clip, that likely is Jaylin, not Jalen.
Jalen is more of a setup man, using his handle, strength and three-level scoring ability to wreak havoc on opposition defenses. By comparison, Jaylin has drew plaudits for his strength, screening ability and that aforementioned shooting stroke.
Jalen plays far more than his namesake. The Santa Clara alum has averaged nearly two times as many minutes as Jaylin over the course of his career. Predictably, he’s a far more productive player, although the latter has produced a fair few highlights across his career.
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In terms of aesthetics, both Jaylin and Jalen have tattoos. Jaylin’s are a bit more noticeable — Jalen typically wears a shooting sleeve that cloaks his ink.
The Thunder have found a way to successfully differentiate between Jaylin and Jalen: giving them nicknames. Jaylin is J-Will, while Jalen is J-Dub.
Suffice to say, there are a fair few ways to tell the difference between Jaylin and Jalen Williams. You just have to pay attention to make sure you know the one you’re talking about.
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