Holly Rowe’s postgame interviews with players have been known to provide raw emotion and intriguing sound bites.
However, when the ESPN reporter conducted an interview with the Thunder’s Jalen Williams in front of teammate Jaylin Williams following Oklahoma City’s 95–85 loss in the Salt Lake City Summer League on Monday, it made for an awkward exchange instead.
After the game, Rowe spoke with Chet Holmgren, who finished with 15 points in his first competitive action since undergoing surgery for a Lisfranc injury in his right foot in August. Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in last year’s NBA draft, is known for including his teammates in postgame interviews so on Monday, he was joined by Tre Mann, Jaylin and Jalen.
After speaking with Holmgren, Jaylin and Mann, Rowe turned to interview Jalen but incorporated an awkward introduction for OKC’s budding star that included a slight jab at Jaylin.
“We dubbed you THE Jalen Williams tonight,” Rowe said before turning to Jaylin and saying “No offense, young man.”
Rowe’s comment generated an immediate reaction from Jaylin, who flashed a rather interesting facial expression to Holmgren. Meanwhile, Mann looked at Jaylin and appeared to ask if he was “O.K.” with Rowe’s comment.
Even more, the weird exchange created a stir on social media that left NBA fans laughing and confused at Rowe’s remark.
Maybe not the best thing to say about Jalen Williams right in front of Jaylin Williams? pic.twitter.com/qnnXi6zsHB
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 4, 2023
This is such a terrible thing to say as a reporter wtf😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FzfMlEcPVp
— 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙞⚡️ (@PlayoffShai) July 4, 2023
J Will to Holly Rowe after she referred J Dub “the REAL Jalen Williams… no offense! Haha!” #NBASummerLeague #Thunder pic.twitter.com/e0Grig1GiL
— Thunderhead Dubs (@DaScoopOnHoops) July 4, 2023
The Holly Rowe experience in a nutshell https://t.co/Qa8IIkDYrc pic.twitter.com/ntieeMntSf
— Mehmet Okurrrt (@Natural_OneDurr) July 4, 2023
what in the world, man. https://t.co/YPysV2fxNP
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) July 4, 2023
The disrespect to Jay Will smh. Tre and Chet shot him a look too https://t.co/WllN1JUvku
— Jonathan Acosta (@_jacosta) July 4, 2023
These looks said it all 🤦🏾♂️😭🤣
— B. Terrell (@itsBTerrell) July 4, 2023
bruh. this is crazy https://t.co/G7bBaP7j08 pic.twitter.com/CAmhmWcOny
Jalen, also known as J-Dub, led OKC with 21 points in the loss. Jaylin, who goes by the nickname “J-Will”, had a solid outing as well, finishing with eight points and 13 rebounds.
