Jaylen Williams finds retiring HS jersey puts accomplishments in perspective

After Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylen Williams is back from injury in a 119-110 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, he returned to his high school in Gilbert, Arizona for a retirement ceremony. Before the Thunder wrapped up their two-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns, Williams was joined by teammates, staff members, family and friends to celebrate watching Jalen’s jersey retired at Perry High School.

Williams addressed a special night after Grom’s morning shootout.

“It put it into perspective a little bit more just because I was the first one up there. That’s my high school. I went there when I was 14. I didn’t think any of that was going to happen. It wasn’t even a thought,” Williams said. “So it definitely puts a lot into perspective. How much it means to me and my family, and there’s the legacy. Then to have my brother go to the same high school, and for him to win their first two rings ever, in the program, is really cool.”

“It’s something that kind of passes. I don’t really think about it. But yesterday definitely brought me back down to earth a little bit. It kind of reminds me of how far I’ve come.”

Now, Cody Williams, Jalen’s brother, who led Perry to two state titles, is in his second season with the Utah Jazz. Williams’ Thunder his teammates joined him for the ceremony.

“It’s really cool. I think we’ve been trying to do it pretty close since I’ve been in the NBA,” Williams said. “So it was great to have a day in Arizona where we were able to do that. I didn’t expect the kind of response we had at all. It was great, obviously. My teammates, the Thunder staff, being there meant a lot; something I don’t take for granted. Then, obviously, having my friends and my friends there, too, is really special.

“The second time around, it kind of puts it into perspective. The lives that I’ve touched, whether it’s on the court or off the court, I’ve seen a lot of people who probably never saw me play. But I remember seeing them throughout high school. It was really cool to connect with everyone. You don’t always get to see everyone when you come home. So it was great to wrap up, in a way, Williams.

.@okcthunder requested over 60 places for players, coaches and employees in @jdubvttpPerry High School jersey retirement.

It shows you the love the Thunder have for Jalen Williams.@Sports360AZ @PerriPumaMBB #NBA #OKCThunder #JalenWilliams #OKC pic.twitter.com/cV1UAPRGZI

— Eliav Gabai (@eliavgabai) February 11, 2026

Williams returned from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of the Thunder’s previous 10 games before Monday’s win against the Lakers.

Jalen Williams returns to the Thunder

Thunder ahead Jaylen Williams is back to host the Lakers before heading to his hometown outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Before facing the Suns, Williams talked about what the past three weeks have been like for him as he deals with a hamstring injury combined with torn ligaments in his surgically repaired right wrist.

“It feels great. The three weeks (were) actually great for me. It was the first time I’ve shot like that since April 8 last year,” Williams said. “So that was really crazy. My arm feels good. I just stuck with Ayton, and that was it. Honestly, it’s the best it’s been since. A lot of reps I was able to do while I was out there. That really helped.”

Williams went a career-high 11-for-13 on free throws in the Thunder’s nine-point win against the Lakers.