James Harden Offers High Praise For OKC Thunder Rising Star Jalen Williams

Former Thunder star James Harden offers high praise to current rising star Jalen Williams.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are building something special again. After making an NBA Finals with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden in town, no one thought that run could be topped. During their run, Sam Presti drafted three straight MVPs and turned the Thunder into one of the most successful teams in professional sports. 

Now, the OKC Thunder are on the verge of another wildly successful run in the Western Conference, led by the leader in the clubhouse for the MVP award in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a pair of rising stars in Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. With a 41-17 record, the Thunder are proving to be contenders. 

A large part of the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder this season has been the emergence of the sophomore from Santa Clara, taking over games in the fourth quarter on his way to averaging 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.5 stocks per game shooting 54 percent from the floor, 45 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent at the charity stripe. 

Williams is signed to Adidas and commonly wears James Harden's shoes, even when matched up with the Clippers earlier this month. At NBA All-Star Weekend, it was announced that Williams would launch a PE of Harden's signature shoe. 

thunderous. pic.twitter.com/0g4Cqh7rrB

— therealjalenwilliams (@jdubwttp) February 20, 2024

“[Jalen Williams has] been killing it. I feel like a proud big brother,” Harden said on BR Kicks when asked who he wants to hear his shoe. “I think that’s our job is to create something special to give back to the younger generation.”

Last Thursday against the Clippers, as Williams wore Harden's shoes against the future Hall of Famer, the Sophomore put up 18 points, four rebounds, six assists, a steal and three blocks in a Thunder win to clinch the season-series. 

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