FORT SMITH — Jaylin Williams will begin his NBA career close to home.
Williams, a 6-10 forward from Fort Smith Northside who played at the University of Arkansas the previous two seasons, went to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of Thursday night’s NBA Draft as the No. 34 pick overall.
Oklahoma City is 180 miles from Fort Smith.
“It’s great,” Williams said of being picked by the Thunder. “It means I can still see my family a good amount of time.”
Williams was surrounded by about 200 family members and friends at a draft watch party held at the Northside Arena.