Kenrich Williams played in 69 games (seven starts), averaging 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He shot 48% from the field, including 39% from 3-point range. All while living up to his “Kenny Hustle” nickname.
Editor’s note: As an annual end-of-season exercise, The Oklahoman publishes a series of report cards on each of the Thunder’s main roster players. Grades will be curved relative to role and expectations. Next up: Kenrich Williams.
Kenrich Williams’ eyes glistened under the brim of his championship hat.
“Being part of something special like this is what I dreamed of,” Williams told The Oklahoman after the Thunder’s Game 7 win against the Pacers.
Asked how he was feeling, Williams responded: “Like an NBA champ.”
“I’m feeling like all the hard work has paid off,” Williams added. “I’m feeling super grateful, super blessed.”
The 30-year-old forward out of TCU was traded to the Thunder before the 2020-21 season — Year 1 of the rebuild. Four years later, Williams is among the few active Thunder players who saw the team come full circle.
Williams played in 69 games (seven starts), averaging 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He shot 48% from the field, including 39% from 3-point range. All while living up to his “Kenny Hustle” nickname.
“He just plays a style of basketball that everybody wants to play with,” Chet Holmgren said. “If I’m going to Lifetime or 24 Hour Fitness or something, I’m picking him up first to play on my team.”
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Kenrich Williams by the numbers
71.8%: Despite being solid at just about everything else, Williams has been a dreadful free throw shooter in his career. So while a 71.8% mark might not sound all that exciting, consider that Williams was a sub-60% free throw shooter in his first four seasons with the Thunder. With his yips from the line was an aversion to being fouled. Last season he attempted a measly 0.5 free throws per 36 minutes. He more than doubled that this season with 1.2 attempts per 36 minutes. Progress!
7: Williams was one of nine Thunder players who appeared in all seven games of the NBA Finals. He averaged 8.6 minutes in 16 playoff games, up from the 4.6 minutes he averaged in seven playoff games the season prior.
306: Williams is one of 10 players who have logged at least 300 games with the Thunder. He’s entering his sixth season with the team. Among the current roster, only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort have been in OKC longer than Williams has.
Kenrich Williams offseason homework
Entering his age 31 season, Williams is who he is as a player. He has size at 6-foot-7 to defend multiple positions, a serviceable jump shot and a take-no-crap presence about him. Williams is beloved in the Thunder’s locker room for the toughness and edge he brings.
Maybe Williams’ homework is to not let the Thunder get complacent coming off its championship. If anyone gets out of line, Williams will take care of them.
Kenrich Williams grade: B
It was a bounceback season for Williams in some ways. He averaged 16.4 minutes per game after playing a career-low 14.9 the previous season. And unlike last season, Williams played a real role in the playoffs.
His shooting splits were all better than his career averages, and he remained a reliable defender.
Thunder report card schedule
In his championship parade address, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt announced that Thunder chairman Clay Bennett, general manager Sam Presti, coach Mark Daigneault and every Thunder player would be honored with their own official day in Oklahoma City. We’re following Holt’s schedule, publishing each player’s report card on their respective day.
- July 11: Ousmane Dieng
- July 15: Ajay Mitchell
- July 16: Jaylin Williams
- July 17: Kenrich Williams
- July 18: Isaiah Joe
- July 21: Aaron Wiggins
- July 22: Cason Wallace
- July 23: Isaiah Hartenstein
- July 24: Alex Caruso
- July 25: Lu Dort
- July 28: Chet Holmgren
- July 29: Jalen Williams
- July 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at [email protected]. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kenrich Williams report card: Thunder forward remained valuable vet
Category: Basketball
