Battling a heat wave, the Oklahoma City Thunder were rewarded an extra gift at the end of their NBA championship parade a little over a month ago. Sharing the stage with OKC Mayor David Holt, 21 individuals — including all 18 players — received a holiday.

July 29 happens to be Jalen Williams Day in Oklahoma City — with only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren waiting to be celebrated. Williams has been quite vocal, asking fans to “throw something on the grill” for his teammates, and even general manager Sam Presti, owner Clay Bennett and head coach Mark Daigneault.

Holt and the city honored the superstar member of the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder by declaring the date "Jalen 'JDub' Williams Day" in the city. Williams, a 2019 graduate of Perry High School in Gilbert, helped lead the Thunder to its first NBA title this year, with a decisive Game 7 finals victory over the Indiana Pacers on June 22.