Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams have known each other for a long time.
The two former Arkansas basketball players are also former Northside High School basketball players in Fort Smith.
On Thursday night, for the first time in ages, they found themselves in opposing uniforms when Joe’s 76ers played Williams’ Thunder in the NBA Summer League.
Joe was taken in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft. Williams was taken in the second round this year. And in the game, it was the vet who bested the rook.
(GAME) WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! 🍗 https://t.co/PR5dTnEr3T pic.twitter.com/94S7go2ggs
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 7, 2022
Joe’s 3-pointer proved to be the game-winner in Philadelphia’s 80-79 win over Oklahoma City. He scored a game-high 19 points on 6 of 12 shooting, including a 4-for-6 game from 3-point range. Joe could become a part of the 76ers regular rotation in 2022-23 after playing 55 games last year and spending more time in the NBA than the G League.
Williams grabbed two rebounds in his 13 minutes. He is hoping to crack Oklahoma City’s NBA roster for as many games as possible, but is a strong candidate for the Thunder’s G League team.