Jalen Williams & Jaylin Williams share names. How will OKC Thunder distinguish NBA Draft picks?

Sam Presti made it clear not everyone needs to look like Jaylin Williams (Arkansas).

“I’m sure their parents are going to love the fact we’re using their college after we say their name,” the Thunder general manager said with a laugh early Friday morning.

Not long after the 2022 NBA Draft concluded, Presti emphasized that being a competitive team means adding a level of physicality. But, not everyone needs to look like Luguentz Dort or Williams, one of the Thunder’s four draft selections from Thursday night.

Williams, a towering 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward from Arkansas, was drafted No. 34 overall by the Thunder. But, 22 picks earlier, OKC opted for Jalen Williams, a junior guard from Santa Clara.

Needless to say, it’s caused some confusion.

For now, there is Jalen Williams (Santa Clara) and Jaylin Williams (Arkansas). Presti laughed at the absurdity, saying: “That was a first.”

It was difficult for OKC to distinguish the two during the pre-draft process, and the Thunder often tagged the school each went to after their name to help avoid confusion.

As for nicknames or how jerseys will work, nothing is concrete.

“We haven’t talked about that,” Presti said. “That’s something for tomorrow.”

Carlson: Chet Holmgren turning the corner on OKC Thunder rebuild will require more than skill

Presti believes Holmgren is ‘best person for us’

Duke's Paolo Banchero steadily climbed draft projection boards in the days leading up to the draft.

After becoming the betting favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick hours before Thursday night, the Orlando Magic remained par and opted for Duke’s shifty forward.

The Thunder were then presented with their choice of big men. Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr. or Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren – a decision that ended with OKC opting for the slightly taller, but thinner Holmgren.

Houston would grab Smith Jr. a pick later.

The 2022 NBA Draft featured three players interchangeable with the first three picks, something Presti attributes to how draft classes are steadily improving every year. Players are entering more skilled, creating more options at the top of the draft.

So, the Thunder selected the option best fit for the future.

“Chet, for us, was the best person,” Presti said.

Enough has been written about Holmgren’s slender build – 7-feet tall and 195 pounds – and enough has been written about how it translates to the more physical NBA. Presti said it will take time for any player to adjust to the NBA, but Holmgren has unique qualities to help.

One of which is his 7-foot-6 wingspan.

“Sometimes, I think unique is beneficial,” Presti said.

He continued, saying it will be a process for the Thunder to acclimate Holmgren to everything.

“We’re not looking at this in terms of a one-year increment,” Presti said. “We want to have a long run of sustained success, and it’s going to take some time to get to that point.

“We think he’s a critical part to it.”

'A generational player': OKC Thunder fans excited by Chet Holmgren selection in NBA Draft

Dieng showed ‘resiliency’ in Australia league

Spike Lee playfully consoled a distraught Stephen A. Smith.

Lee – a famous director and more famous New York Knicks fan – and popular ESPN analyst Smtih, seemed visibly upset at the selection New York made with the No. 11 pick. Ousmane Dieng, a French forward who played last season in Australia.

But moments after the pick, it was announced Dieng was traded to the Thunder for three conditional first round picks. And while Knicks fans celebrated Dieng not playing in the Big Apple, the Thunder are just as excited to have him in OKC.

“We’re thrilled with the outcome,” Presti said about the trade, which gave the Thunder three lottery picks.

Will Dawkins, the vice president of basketball operations for the Thunder, said Presti had scouted the NBA rookie since he was 16, and OKC continued monitoring him once he started playing for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australia NBL.

They watched him grow from 7 inches and maintain his ball handling, vision, shooting and two-way ability, something Dawkins said makes the scouting department excited.

After seeing Dieng struggle early in Australia but fight back and adapt his game, the Thunder were impressed. It was a similar situation with OKC guard Josh Giddey, who also developed when playing against “grown men” in Australia.

“We’re excited (Dieng) went through that and had to go through that,” Dawkins said. “(He) showed that resiliency.”

NBA Draft 2022: First-round pick-by-pick analysis and complete results

Quick hits

► Presti said Thursday’s draft was vital in OKC beginning to build roster continuity. “Starting to build a group of guys that compete together and go through different experiences together, that are starting to learn together from the trials and successes that it takes to be a really good team one day is important,” he said.

► Jalen Williams, who the Thunder drafted at No. 12, grew up with both parents enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Dawkins said that background helped mold him. “Nothing was given to him,” he said. “He’s worked, he’s earned it.”

► Of the four picks, Presti commended each saying, “I think they’re all pretty serious about their job. Serious about their craft.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA Draft 2022: Thunder GM Sam Presti talks about OKC selections