Jaylin Williams: Hogs 'Would Won Title' if He Had Stayed

Originally posted on Arkansas Razorbacks on SI
By Jacob Davis | Last updated 10/23/23

Was Jaylin Williams the missing piece for Arkansas last season? That's what he told former Kentucky Wildcats foe turned Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Cason Wallace on a live Instagram feed.

“Not gonna lie,” Williams said. “If I had gone back to Arkansas last year, we win the natty.”

However, Wallace, whose Kentucky team knows a lot about coming up short in the NCAA Tournament, wasn't having it. He wasn't going to allow Williams get away with Razorback national title dreams.

“I like that about you,” Wallace said. “Your imagination is insanity.”

It’s hard to ever know exactly what happens in such a hypothetical situation. Arkansas struggled with injuries last season with Trevon Brazile and Nick Smith, Jr. missing an extensive amount of the season. However, Williams presence inside, especially on the defensive end, would have gone a long way in taking the edge off.

As for Williams, his draft stock soared from the beginning of SEC play through the remainder of the 2021-22 season, making such a reality impossible. The Fort Smith native averaged just over three points and five rebounds per game as a true freshman. However, he took off in the second half of his sophomore season averaging a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

His ascension as one of college basketball’s best players happened almost overnight. Williams had never recorded a double-double during his college career until Jan. 8, 2022 on the road against Texas A&M. That moment lit a fuse as Williams went on to record 16 more.

It is fair to wonder if Williams would’ve actually made a difference on last year’s squad. He did make quite the impact in the post with dominant rebounding, protecting the rim and his infamous charge taking in his final collegiate season with the Razorbacks.

It’s always fun to look back at what could’ve been. However, Williams took the momentum he gained from his second season under Musselman to be one of the top NBA rookies — known for the volume of charges he takes. As a rookie, Williams averaged six points and five rebounds at 19 minutes per game. He took 43 charges last season, leading the league in that category by 10.

The Razorbacks will see they have in their current rebuilt roster Saturday when Purdue comes to town for one of the biggest exhibition match-ups in Bud Walton Arena history. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. and the game will be on ESPN+.

This article first appeared on Arkansas Razorbacks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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