SANTA CLARA, Calif. - It's official. Santa Clara men's basketball junior guard Jalen Williams has concluded his Bronco Career with the announcement of his intentions to remain in the 2022 NBA Draft. A two-time All-WCC selection, Williams ends his collegiate career with 1,055 career points in three seasons.
"It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Bronco Nation as I have decided with tremendous excitement to remain in the 2022 NBA Draft. All glory and honor to God, because without him none of this would be possible," Williams said in an official farewell message on Instagram.
Williams, coming off his best season as a Bronco, has been one of the hottest names among NBA Draft prospects as of late, with many draft experts believing he has secured himself as a first round pick. The Gilbert, Ariz., product had a stellar showing at the NBA Draft Combine, especially in five on five action where he was consistently one of the top players on the court. In one game, Williams knocked down 7-of-8 from the floor for 19 points.
Jalen Williams showed his versatility and skill with a strong all-around performance today, finishing with 19 points on 7/8 shooting. Made some nice passes and played strong defense as usual. Has a lot of NBA fans at the NBA Combine. pic.twitter.com/hND0bcTaQJ
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 20, 2022
Williams' 2021-22 campaign was one to remember with the sharpshooter establishing himself as one of the premier athletes in the West Coast Conference. He earned first team All-WCC honors after averaging 18.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He was the only player in that nation to average those numbers while also shooting 56 percent from 2-point range and 41 percent from beyond the arc. Williams finished the season with 594 points, the eighth-most in a single season in program history.
Also an all-region selection, Williams scored in double figures in all but two games in 2021-22, with the two exceptions both being 8-point outings. He tallied 12 games of 20 or more points including a career-high 30 points against Hawai'i. Williams came through in the clutch time and time again for the Broncos, including hitting the game-winning shot just before the buzzer to help Santa Clara knock off BYU for the first time since 2017. In SCU's upset victory over No. 22 Saint Mary's, their first win over a ranked opponent since 2004, Williams finished the game with a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists.
If selected in the 2022 NBA Draft, which begins on June 23rd in New York City, Williams will become the first Santa Clara player drafted since Steve Nash was taken 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1996.
