Jalen Wilson Provides Offensive Weapon in Second Round

Drafting players named Jalen has worked for Oklahoma City before, and Jalen Wilson could be another Jalen who would impact OKC immediately.

Kansas’ season ended prematurely in the NCAA Tournament, which brought Jalen Wilson’s college career to an early end. He was not only one of Kansas’ best players, but one of the top players in the country, but was also tabbed as the Big 12 Player of the Year after his redshirt junior season this year.

Being one of the top players in debatably the top conference in basketball, Wilson provides an intriguing prospect in the early second round, which includes an Oklahoma City selection.

Wilson is a dynamic playmaker who is a lethal scorer as he averaged 20.1 points per game on 43% shooting from the field. Wilson also shot a career best 33.7% from 3-point range this season, something he improved drastically from 26.3% his third season with the Jayhawks.

The 6-foot-8 junior forward also averaged 8.3 rebounds per game using his length and interior presence to grab boards and create extra possessions. Wilson played four seasons in Lawrence walking away with a National Championship and multiple awards during his time. He is 22-years-old which puts him on the older end of prospects in the draft.

His frame and offensive mind and ability make him capable of being a productive wing at the next level, something OKC could use off of the bench. His abilities beyond the arc became a knock in the draft process, but he showed improvement in that area, which is a positive sign as he heads to the next level. Wilson will need to continue to develop that shot at the next level as he could be an effective low volume threat.

Oklahoma City has had luck in the past with later draft picks, and with an early second rounder that has plenty of available talent Wilson sticks out as an effective pick who fills needs in the Thunder rotation as a forward and more offense off of the bench. 

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