PHOENIX – Off one of the most dominant NBA seasons in league’s history, the Oklahoma City Thunder are paying their young core big. After signing max extension with 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City secured the last core piece in Perry Pumas Alum Jalen Williams, signing him to a five-year, $287 million contract extension. The Big 3 for the Thunder are all under contract until 2031.
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Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) celebrates after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Charania on Williams signing extension with Thunder:
Williams was the 258th ranked player in high school and sixth overall in the state of Arizona. The three-star prospect started to generate buzz in his rookie season, averaging 21.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3,1 assists and 2.0 steals a game. The 6’3 point guard at the time was putting Perry on the map and continued to do so in his senior season, averaging 25+ points and dragging the Pumas to the 6A State Semifinals before losing to Pinnacle.
Perry High School guard Jalen Williams (10) plays against Millennium High School during The Visit Mesa Basketball Challenge is the first tournament ever to use the 35-second shot clock in Arizona high school history Syndication: Phoenix
His time at Perry propelled the program to becoming a staple of Arizona hoops, and now the Pumas are coming off four straight state titles with another athletic wing in Koa Peat. Williams wasn’t able to bring a state title to Perry, but he was able to represent the program in the biggest stage in the world in the NBA Finals to win the Thunder its first championship in franchise history.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
