In the recent NBA Finals Game 7, the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the championship for the 2024-25 season, becoming the second youngest championship team in nearly half a century. With the launch of the series named Beyond the Championship, fans will get an in-depth look at the stories of the players from the Oklahoma City Thunder, including center Jaylin Williams, who just signed a three-year contract extension.
Jaylin Williams stands out with his striking Asian features and Vietnamese heritage. Although he grew up in the United States and has never set foot in Vietnam, he proudly identifies as 100% American. Jaylin’s mother, Linda Williams, was born in the former Saigon and later moved to the U.S. She has a unique background, with her grandmother being Vietnamese and her grandfather a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
In a recent game against the Gray Wolves, Jaylin made history by becoming the first Vietnamese player to enter the NBA Finals. This milestone has garnered extensive coverage and support from Asian cultural websites. At just 22 years old, Jaylin is eager to learn about and experience his homeland, expressing a deep curiosity about Vietnamese culture. Linda also mentioned the rich historical ties between Oklahoma and Vietnam, noting that many Vietnamese refugees settled there, and currently about 30,000 Oklahomans have Vietnamese ancestry. Fans are passionately rallying behind Jaylin.
Linda pointed out that the Vietnamese community is incredibly friendly, with many supporters deliberately wearing Jaylin’s jersey to attend the game and approaching her and Jaylin for photos. Jaylin was surprised to see that a lot of Asian kids had his name printed on their jerseys, which made him feel inspired and deeply meaningful.
As an authentic Arkansan, Jaylin grew up in the area and showcased his skills in the college basketball team. His grandmother, Cora Williams, was his biggest fan, often proudly introducing her grandson to the audience. Unfortunately, Jaylin’s grandmother passed away during the pandemic two years ago, leaving him with a profound sense of loss. He has transformed this grief into motivation, and his performance this season only gets better, demonstrating exceptional strength when facing tough opponents.
Moreover, Jaylin’s defensive skills, particularly his ability to draw offensive fouls, ranked among the best in the NCAA last season. No one anticipated that this technique could translate so quickly to the NBA, even exceeding his previous performances, showcasing his agility and tactical awareness during transitions between offense and defense. This clearly highlights Jaylin’s unique talent.
