Oklahoma City Thunder rising star Jalen Williams revealed he was compared to Joe Ingles when entering the league. On the “Out the Mud” podcast, Williams said the comparison caught him off guard but also reflected his style as a versatile wing player.
Williams, 24, described receiving Ingles trading cards from his trainer as a lighthearted way to highlight the NBA comparison. He noted that while people likened him to Ingles, his personal ceiling was closer to James Harden’s level.
The Thunder guard has quickly exceeded expectations in his young career. He was named a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first selection.
Williams also earned his first All-NBA Third Team honor and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team following the 2024–25 season. He posted career highs in several playoff games, including 40 points in Game 5 of the Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
Throughout the 2025 playoffs, Williams displayed resilience, playing through a wrist injury that required multiple painkilling injections. His performance helped the Thunder reach their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.
During the 2024–25 regular season, Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 36.5% from three. He has steadily developed into a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
Oklahoma City rewarded Williams’ breakout season with a five-year contract extension worth up to $287 million, ensuring the star guard remains a central piece of the franchise.
