About this Episode
In this episode of Podcasty NBA, hosts Niko and Stella explore the remarkable journey of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams—from being lightly recruited out of high school to becoming a 2025 NBA All-Star competing in the NBA Finals. They discuss key moments including his college career at Santa Clara University under coach Herb Sendek's mentorship, challenges faced due to size perceptions and COVID disruptions, breakthrough performances leading up to the draft, and broader themes such as perseverance fueled by adversity and family support systems shaping athletic success.
Article Discussed: "‘This guy’s got a real shot’: Jalen Williams’ journey from mid-major to NBA Finals"
Author: Marc J. Spears
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Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome back to Podcasty NBA! Today, we're diving into the inspiring journey of Jalen Williams, also known as J-Dub or J-Drip, the Oklahoma City Thunder forward who's making waves in the 2025 NBA Finals. From a lightly recruited high school player to an NBA All-Star, his story is one of perseverance and style.
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. Jalen's path is unique compared to many of his peers. Coming from Santa Clara University, a mid-major college, and working his way up to the NBA Finals is no small feat. Plus, there's this fun side story about his nickname 'J-Drip,' given by his college coach Herb Sendek because of his undeniable style both on and off the court.
Niko: Right, Stella. So let's break down how it all started. Jalen was born in Denver in 2001 but moved to Phoenix around age seven. His parents are Air Force veterans who encouraged him early on to dream big — specifically about playing in the NBA. Despite being gangly and under-recruited in high school at Perry High, growing five inches between sophomore and senior years helped him stand out eventually.
Stella: And even though he wasn't ranked among the nation's top players—ESPN didn't rank him nationally—Santa Clara's coaching staff noticed him early on during AAU circuits. Coach Sendek appreciated not only Jalen's basketball IQ and skillset but also connected with his personality and unique fashion sense, which led to that affectionate nickname 'J-Drip.'
Niko: Exactly. Sendek even wore white rim sunglasses on recruiting visits just to bond with Jalen – talk about dedication! That connection seemed vital since Jalen didn't have Power 5 scholarship offers and chose Santa Clara over other mid-majors like Hofstra because it felt right for him.
Stella: Once at Santa Clara, he steadily improved despite challenges like COVID forcing games away from campus. By his sophomore year, both Sendek and others began seeing real NBA potential in him. His growth was evident: averaging 18 points per game with solid shooting percentages during junior year put him on scouts’ radars.
Niko: And then there’s that pivotal moment before the 2022 draft when he trained at Santa Barbara with agent Bill Duffy. Duffy recalled their trainer telling them within minutes that Jalen wasn’t going back to school – a sign his stock was rising fast. The Thunder picked him 12th overall — first Santa Clara draftee since Steve Nash in ’96.
Stella: From there, Williams made an immediate impact—All-NBA Rookie first team honors followed by an All-Star appearance this year near Santa Clara’s campus in San Francisco. His stats this season? Impressive averages: 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game for the Thunder as they head into their first Finals since 2012.
Niko: What strikes me is how much Jalen credits those early struggles for fueling his work ethic. He said being overlooked motivated him to hit the gym harder and take basketball more seriously — a classic underdog story that resonates deeply with fans who love grit over glamor alone.
Stella: Yes, and it’s touching how he reflects on those experiences emotionally now — recognizing they shaped him into who he is today while also easing the path for his younger brother Cody Williams, who was drafted ninth overall by Utah Jazz after playing at Colorado.
Niko: "It’s interesting too how mid-major schools like Santa Clara can nurture talent differently," said Warriors guard Stephen Curry once about Davidson College’s role in his development—and Williams echoes that sentiment about his own journey through a smaller program leading to big success."
Stella: "And beyond individual success," Coach Sendek shared pride not only for Williams but also for how his rise has boosted Santa Clara’s reputation — even helping attract transfers like Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski." It shows how one player's journey can ripple across an entire program.
Niko: "Looking ahead," Williams hopes to join other former Broncos who've won NBA championships—like Kurt Rambis or Dennis Awtrey—adding another layer of legacy he's chasing now as part of this Thunder team facing Indiana Pacers tonight in Game 1 of the Finals."
Stella: "To sum up," Jalen Williams’ story reminds us that talent combined with heart and support systems can overcome early setbacks—even when you’re not heavily recruited or spotlighted out of high school or college."
Niko: "Absolutely," Stella. His journey from a gangly kid wearing white rim sunglasses to an NBA All-Star known as ‘J-Drip’ is inspiring on many levels — highlighting perseverance, style, family influence, and community pride all wrapped into one compelling narrative."
Stella: "Thanks for joining us on Podcasty NBA today! We’ll be keeping an eye on Jalen Williams as he competes in these Finals moments that mean so much personally and professionally — reminding us why stories like his are worth telling."
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