Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams Savagely Destroys Sophomore Slump Narrative — ‘It’s just mental’

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 3/15/24

The success the Oklahoma City Thunder are enjoying in the 2023-24 NBA season is more than just because of the incredible play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander . The Thunder are also getting a major boost from second-year guard-forward Jalen Williams, who is turning out to be a prime antithesis example against the notion of a sophomore slump.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams Defying The Proverbial Sophomore Slump

Williams, who was taken by the Thunder 12th overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft, came up huge for his team again Thursday night, as Oklahoma City defeated the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks at home, 126-119. Williams shot 11/21 from the field to finish with 27 points while also adding five assists and four rebounds along with three blocks and a steal in 35 minutes.

Following the takedown of the Mavericks, Williams said that he’s not buying the idea of a sophomore slump at all.

Via Joel Lorenzi of Oklahoman Sports:

Jalen Williams on the sophomore slump concept: “I don’t really accept the whole wall thing. It’s just mental. … It’s basketball at the end of the day, and I’m trying to get better every game. I just throw the rookie wall/sophomore slump thing out the window and just play.”

The Thunder’s rise as a serious contender to win the 2023-24 NBA title can be attributed as well to Williams successfully sustaining and improving in his brilliant rookie campaign.

So far in his second season in the NBA, the former Santa Clara Broncos star is averaging 19.2, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from behind the arc. He is also third on the team in win shares (6.1).

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: