2022 NBA Draft: Oklahoma City Thunder select Jaylin Williams, Arkansas center

Arkansas center Jaylin Williams is off the board in the 2022 NBA Draft. With the No. 34 pick in the second round, Williams was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound center made major strides in his second collegiate season this past year, starting 35 games while averaging 10.9 points and 9.8 rebounds. He was also a critical part of the Razorbacks’ run to the Elite Eight this season, averaging 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds across their four NCAA Tournament games. Williams displayed a willingness to take charges, recording more than 50 in his sophomore season.

A native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Williams was the state’s High School Player of the Year in 2020. He came to Fayetteville as a four-star prospect and was also a member of the USA Under-19 Team during the summer of 2021. He helped the USA go undefeated at the FIBA World Cup that year, as they defeated France 83-81 to claim the championship.

As a freshman in 2020-21, Williams made five starts while averaging 15.9 minutes across a total of 26 games. He immediately proved himself as an elite rebounder, leading the team with 12.1 boards on a per 40 minute basis.

ESPN NBA Draft scouting report on Jaylin Williams

With the Razorbacks deep run in the NCAA Tournament this past season, scouts were able to get an extended look at Williams against elite competition. Below is the scouting report on the Razorbacks center from ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony:

“Williams is an unorthodox prospect in many ways: He isn’t a consistent shooter; he will struggle at times finishing in traffic due to his average-level explosiveness; and his best skill at the moment is sliding in for charges, as he leads all of college basketball in them,” Givony wrote.

“At 6-foot-10 and 232 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he is somewhat caught between big man positions, while not bringing the type of consistent shooting range you would hope to see from someone who will likely need to play alongside another big due to Williams’ lack of rim protection. What Williams does bring is tremendous toughness on both ends of the floor, a trait that will help carve a place in the NBA. He is an outstanding passer and an excellent rebounder, and he shows the type of skill and touch around the basket that bodes well for becoming a more versatile offensive player.”