Oklahoma City Thunder Star Jalen Williams Breaks Tradition, Celebrates First NBA Title by Drinking Alcohol for the Very First Time

Jalen Williams has always been known for doing things his way. On the court, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard blends athleticism, craft, and a relentless work ethic that made him one of the NBA’s rising stars. Off the court, his clean-cut lifestyle has also made headlines, particularly his well-documented preference for ordering Shirley Temples — the sweet, cherry-topped non-alcoholic drink that has become synonymous with his image. But after the Thunder clinched their first NBA championship, Williams broke one of his longest-standing personal traditions.

For the first time in his life, Jalen Williams drank alcohol.

It wasn’t just any moment that called for such a significant departure from routine — this was the kind of career-defining, life-altering triumph that justified celebration on a grand scale. The Thunder’s historic championship run captivated the league, marked by their youth, grit, and surprising dominance over more experienced opponents. Williams, now an NBA champion, finally gave himself permission to loosen the reins.

In the aftermath of Oklahoma City’s series-clinching victory, the locker room scene was everything you’d expect from a team that had clawed its way to the summit of professional basketball. Champagne sprayed, music blasted, and players jumped in unison, drenching one another with bubbly in a whirlwind of joy. But for Williams, the scene came with a decision he’d never faced — to partake, or to stick with his Shirley Temple legacy.

Williams, often affectionately referred to by teammates as “J-Dub,” revealed after the celebration that he had always been firm about abstaining from alcohol — not due to any deep religious or moral code, but simply personal choice. He liked control. He liked clarity. And frankly, he liked the simplicity of ordering a drink that, while childlike to some, fit his easygoing and unapologetically quirky personality.

But championships change people — or at least, they create a moment when the ordinary rules feel temporarily suspended. For Williams, this wasn’t peer pressure. It wasn’t about proving anything to anyone. It was about soaking in the enormity of the moment and marking it with something new — a small, symbolic gesture that, for him, represented growth, reward, and shared experience.

“I’ve always said I’m a Shirley Temple guy, and I still am,” Williams told reporters, grinning ear to ear while wearing his championship hat backward, beads of champagne still glistening on his Thunder jersey. “But tonight? Man, you win an NBA title… I had to try it at least once.”

While Williams didn’t specify exactly what alcoholic beverage he chose for his maiden drink, teammates hinted that it wasn’t some strong shot or elaborate cocktail — it was something light, celebratory, and entirely in line with his fun-loving persona. “We eased him in,” joked Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Finals MVP. “Let’s just say J-Dub wasn’t knocking back whiskey. But hey, he finally graduated from Shirley Temples — just for one night.”

That moment of indulgence was, in many ways, the perfect capstone to a fairytale season for Oklahoma City. The Thunder, one of the youngest rosters in the league, weren’t supposed to win it all — at least not yet. With rising stars like Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Williams himself leading the charge, the team had shown immense potential, but few predicted they would dethrone the established juggernauts so soon.

But as the playoffs unfolded, the Thunder’s chemistry, defensive intensity, and fearless play dismantled doubters at every turn. Williams was instrumental in that run. His versatility as a guard — capable of scoring, facilitating, and locking down key opponents — provided the Thunder with a critical edge. His breakout performances in pivotal games, particularly in the Western Conference Finals, solidified his status as one of the NBA’s premier young talents.

Still, it was his demeanor off the court that earned equal admiration. In an era where social media often amplifies the wilder sides of athlete lifestyles, Williams carved out a different image. His preference for ordering Shirley Temples — often met with playful teasing from teammates — became an endearing narrative. Fans embraced it. Bars in Oklahoma City even began naming drinks after him, offering “J-Dub’s Shirley Special” on their menus during playoff games.

Williams’ clean-cut reputation resonated beyond basketball. Parents pointed to him as a role model for young athletes — proof that success didn’t require conforming to certain stereotypes. Williams, for his part, embraced the role, but never sought the spotlight for his personal choices. He simply did what felt right to him.

That’s why his decision to finally try alcohol after winning the NBA title was less about abandoning his principles and more about savoring the magnitude of what he and his team had accomplished. Even the most disciplined athletes allow themselves small exceptions when standing atop the basketball world.

“It’s not like I’m suddenly going to be in the club every weekend,” Williams chuckled. “It was just one of those moments — you’ve worked your whole life for this, you’ve sacrificed, stayed locked in, and when it pays off, you gotta enjoy it.”

Williams’ teammates couldn’t resist ribbing him after the revelation. The jokes flowed as freely as the champagne that night. Social media buzzed with fans debating what drink Williams had chosen, with some humorously suggesting that his first alcoholic beverage should’ve been a Shirley Temple with a splash of vodka — the perfect fusion of old and new.

Amid the celebration, though, the essence of Williams’ journey remained unchanged. His story — from overlooked college player to lottery pick, from reliable role player to championship cornerstone — underscored the value of authenticity, patience, and steady progression. He didn’t need to conform to anyone’s expectations to thrive, and one celebratory drink wouldn’t change that.

For Thunder fans, Williams’ symbolic first sip became another chapter in an already beloved saga. It reflected the joy, the disbelief, and the sheer improbability of Oklahoma City’s championship run. A reminder that milestones, no matter how big or small, deserve acknowledgment — even from the guy known for sticking to grenadine and cherries.

As the offseason begins and Williams returns to his usual routines, he made it clear that the Shirley Temples aren’t going anywhere. If anything, his taste for the sugary red beverage might reach new heights — especially with fans likely flooding local establishments with orders of his signature drink in tribute to the Thunder’s new champions.

“I’ll be back to my normal order tomorrow,” Williams confirmed. “But tonight? We earned this.”

Whether that means Williams has permanently added a new drink of choice to his repertoire remains to be seen. But for now, in the glow of confetti, champagne showers, and championship glory, Jalen Williams can say he experienced the full spectrum of celebration — and he did it his way.