high school sports

East Valley athlete, world champ Jalen Williams honored

Jalen Williams walks into Dan Serrano Gymnasium at his alma mater, Perry High School, on Feb. 11, when his No. 11 was retired and mounted on a new row of honor in the gym. On the left is Williams’ father, Ron; on his right is his mother, Nicole.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Jalen Williams pulled the rope that revealed this banner in Dan Serrano Gymnasium on Feb. 11 at his alma mater, Perry High School. The ceremony was to honor the career of Williams, who helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA title last June.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Jalen Williams speaks during an event held in his honor in Dan Serrano Gymnasium on Feb. 11 at his alma mater, Perry High School. Williams helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA title last June.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Perry High School Principal Heather Patterson, left, and PHS athletic director Jennifer Burks, right, flank former Puma basketball star Jalen Williams in Dan Serrano Gymnasium on Feb. 11 as part of an event held in Williams’ honor. Williams helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA title last June.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Former Perry High School boys basketball coach Sam Duane Jr. speaks during a uniform-retiring event honoring former Puma star Jalen Williams on Feb. 10 in Dan Serrano Gymnasium at PHS, Williams’ No. 11 was retired and mounted on a new row of honor in the gym; Williams helped lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA title last June.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Jalen Williams said he never thought his dream would come true.

“I never thought I’d be standing up here, talking about a world championship,” Williams said during an emotional Feb. 10 ceremony at Perry High School to honor the alum and NBA champion.

Williams, a 2019 graduate of PHS, went on to play college basketball at Santa Clara. Drafted in 2022, he helped a talented Oklahoma City Thunder team bring that city its first major pro sports title by winning the 2025 NBA Finals last June.

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