Jalen Williams named on 2022-23 All-Rookie first team
The NBA announced its All-Rookie teams on Monday, and a couple of Oklahoma City Thunder forwards made an appearance.
Jalen Williams was elected to the All-Rookie first team, making him the second player in Thunder history to be so honored. The first was Russell Westbrook in 2009.
This news shouldn’t shock anybody. Williams finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and was arguably OKC’s second-best player as it finished one win shy of a playoff berth.
In 75 games, Williams averaged 14.1 points on 52.1% shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 35.6% from 3 on 2.7 attempts.
The All-Rookie first team:
Kings guard Keegan Murray
Pacers guard Benedict Mathurin
Thunder forward Jalen Williams
Magic forward Paolo Banchero
Jazz center Walker Kessler
Williams received 199 total voting points — 99 first-team votes and one second-team vote. Meanwhile, Jaylin Williams received seven points — one first-team vote and five second-team votes.
The full voting results can be viewed below:
The Thunder drafted Williams with the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. The 22-year-old was one of three lottery picks the Thunder added to their roster last offseason — the other two being Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 pick and Ousmane Dieng with the No. 11 pick.
