On September 19, 2026, Jalen Williams took advantage of the offseason by working out with the men's basketball team at Santa Clara University, his alma mater. With the 2026-27 NBA regular season approaching, the Oklahoma City Thunder, co-title favorites alongside the San Antonio Spurs, are looking for a strong performance from Williams, especially after a challenging 2025-26 season marked by injuries.
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Williams, who played three seasons at Santa Clara from 2019 to 2022, was drafted by the Thunder as the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He has since emerged as an All-NBA talent, contributing significantly to the team, including playing a key role in winning the Larry O'Brien trophy during the 2025 NBA Finals alongside teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
His time at Santa Clara has left a lasting impact, not just for himself but for the university, as he is regarded as one of the school's most accomplished basketball players, alongside notable alumni like Steve Nash. Since Williams joined the Thunder, other Santa Clara graduates, such as Brandin Podziemski and Allen Graves, have also made their way to the NBA.
Williams has expressed pride in his roots at Santa Clara, actively giving back and supporting the program. His development from a lesser-known prospect to an NBA standout highlights the potential for mid-major schools to cultivate top-tier basketball talent.