Oklahoma City Thunder standout Jalen Williams, who has been an NBA player since 2022, recently received a major tribute at his alma mater. On Tuesday, Perry High School retired his No. 11 jersey during a ceremony attended by family, friends, and the school’s community, recognizing his rapid rise and impressive accomplishments in professional basketball. This tribute follows an earlier jersey retirement by Santa Clara University, where Williams also played college basketball.
Williams Reflects on His Journey from High School to NBA Success
Williams watched as school officials revealed the first-ever retired jersey number in Perry High School’s gymnasium, an emotional moment that highlighted his extraordinary journey. “It’s just wild,” Williams told the Arizona Republic.
“Being 14, a little kid coming into high school, and now coming back now, obviously to have the success I’ve been having in the NBA… When you’re that young playing, it doesn’t seem … I wouldn’t say feasible. But you don’t really know that’s going to happen. It just seems like a dream. To come back and make it a reality, it’s surreal.”
Strong Support From Teammates and Community
Williams’ current teammates from the Oklahoma City Thunder were present to show their support, traveling significant distances during the NBA season to honor him. “That’s the team we have,” Williams said via the AZ Republic.
“They want to support. I’ve been there for theirs. It’s just really cool to have that support from guys I’m with on a daily basis. For them to want to do it in the middle of season… We only have two games left before the All-Star break, so to drive 45 minutes to support me, that’s really cool.”
“.@okcthunder requested over 60 spots for players, coaches, & staffers at @jdubwttp’s Perry High School jersey retirement.Shows you the love the Thunder have for Jalen Williams.@Sports360AZ @PerryPumaMBB #NBA #OKCThunder #JalenWilliams #OKC pic.twitter.com/cW1UAPRGZY”
— Eliav Gabay, Sports Journalist
Williams’ High School Achievements and Lasting Legacy
Jalen Williams graduated from Perry High School in 2019 after an outstanding basketball career. He played a vital role in leading the Pumas to the Class 6A state final four in the 2018-19 season, scoring an average of 25 points per game as a senior. During his time there, Williams earned accolades such as Chandler Unified School District Player of the Year and Region Offensive Player of the Year, establishing himself as one of the school’s top athletes.
Jennifer Burks, Perry’s athletic director, praised Williams for his contributions both on and off the court, stating,
“Jalen represents the very best of Perry High School. His journey from the Dan Serrano Gymnasium to the highest levels of professional basketball serves as an inspiration to our current and future Pumas. We are thrilled that this will be the first number to be hung on our wall of honor.”
Family Ties and Competitive Spirit in Basketball
Williams’ brother, Cody, a 2023 graduate of Perry High School, is also making his mark in professional basketball with the Utah Jazz. Cody achieved notable milestones by participating in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Nike Hoops Summit, as well as winning three state championships with the Pumas. Though Jalen never won a state title in high school, he remains proud of his accomplishments at the NBA level.
Addressing this lightheartedly, Jalen remarked via the Arizona Republic,
“I’ve got an NBA championship ring, so we’re about even right now. He used to bring it up all the time. But now that I’ve got a jersey retired before him – his is on the way – but I got one before him. So we’re good.”
Current Season Performance and Future Outlook
In the 2025-26 NBA season, Williams has been an impactful player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 16.4 points, 5.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 25 games. His steady contributions have been critical to the Thunder’s ongoing performance and build momentum heading into the All-Star break. The emotional jersey retirement ceremony at Perry High School underscores the growing recognition of Williams’ achievements and hints at an inspiring path ahead both for him and the Thunder organization.
.@okcthunder requested over 60 spots for players, coaches, & staffers at @jdubwttp’s Perry High School jersey retirement.
Shows you the love the Thunder have for Jalen Williams.@Sports360AZ @PerryPumaMBB #NBA #OKCThunder #JalenWilliams #OKC pic.twitter.com/cW1UAPRGZY
— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) February 11, 2026
