Jalen Williams’ candid reaction to Santa Clara jersey retirement

Among friends and family, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams watched his number 24 go into the rafters at Santa Clara University’s Leavey Center. After a busy summer in which the fourth-year forward helped lead the Thunder to a championship, Williams signed a five-year, $287 million extension before his alma mater announced Jalen’s jersey retirement ceremony. He is only the eighth Bronco to have his jersey retired.

Williams thought about honor ceremony during his media availability at Thunder practice.

“It’s been really cool. Every time I go there, it reminds me that I’m getting old in a good way. The school is growing,” Williams said. “It’s just crazy to see all the additions at school every year when I come back, every month when I come back. So that was a really cool moment. I think even from bringing the trophy last summer to being able to see my jersey in the rafters now is really cool, that my friends and family got to see it.”

With his family, including his parents and friends in attendance, Williams shared the contrasting emotions of his two parents.

“My mom was crying, as usual. So I know what it means to her,” Williams said. “My dad is more like me; he’s pretty stoic. They always tell me they’re proud of me, so those moments aren’t a shock to me when they’re there and happy. I think it’s more like I’m in a very blessed position that both parents are still together and can do things like that.” Few people have the opportunity to share that opportunity,

After two surgeries to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, Williams made its season debut with a 123-119 win against the Phoenix Suns. He finished with 22 points and six assists in a 124-112 win against the Golden State Warriors, the Thunder’s last win.

Thunder’s Jalen Williams reflects on Santa Clara’s growth

Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams, who was selected by the Thunder 12th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, started a new wave of Santa Clara prospects emerging in the NBA. The Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski, one of coach Steve Kerr’s rotation players, was the 19th overall pick in 2023, while others, like Thierry Darlan, are in the G League, working under a standard NBA contract.

“It’s cool. We’ve got some guys in G from last year that have played. Obviously, whenever me and Podz play, it’s just a cool experience. He was a year after me,” Williams said. “But, yeah, the school has some momentum now. I think what it shows is that a lot of NBA teams and professional teams are starting to find out about the high schools and how competitive VCC really is.

“So it’s cool to watch the growth. We’ve had a lot of good players come out of VCC and our school in particular. So it’s fun to watch.”

Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash, Santa Clara’s most prominent alum, was also honored, his No. 11 hanging from the rafters. Williams was Santa Clara’s first first-round pick since Nash’s 15th overall pick in the legendary 1996 NBA draft.