It’s not every day that two kids from the same Arkansas town make it to the NBA. It’s even rarer when they not only share a hometown but also wear the same high school jersey, represent the same college program, and then become teammates on the professional stage. But that’s exactly the story of Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe—two rising NBA players whose bond traces back to the hardwood courts of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Long before they were suiting up for the Oklahoma City Thunder or putting on Razorback red, Williams and Joe were simply kids chasing a dream—side by side—at Northside High School in Fort Smith. Today, they’re living that dream, representing their home state on basketball’s biggest platform and proving that small-town roots can grow into something truly special.
Fort Smith Beginnings
Fort Smith isn’t a place most basketball fans would associate with NBA talent pipelines. Nestled on the western border of Arkansas, it’s a working-class town known more for its history than for producing basketball stars. But in recent years, Fort Smith has earned bragging rights thanks to two of its own.
Isaiah Joe, born in 1999, was the first to emerge. Known for his silky shooting stroke and deep range, Joe quickly became a standout at Northside. He led the Grizzlies to success with his lights-out shooting and high basketball IQ. Joe’s calm demeanor and clutch scoring made him a natural leader on and off the court.
Just a few years behind him came Jaylin Williams, born in 2002. A different type of player—a hard-nosed, physical big man with a knack for taking charges and doing the dirty work—Williams brought grit to the same Northside team. He admired Joe as an upperclassman, and when they shared the floor, their contrasting styles meshed perfectly.
Together, they helped build a winning culture at Northside, with Joe as the shot-maker and Williams as the enforcer in the paint. For a town like Fort Smith, it was basketball heaven.
From Northside to Fayetteville
Though they played together in high school, their paths to the University of Arkansas came at different times.
Isaiah Joe committed to Arkansas in 2018, joining a talented Razorbacks squad led by head coach Mike Anderson. He made an immediate impact, averaging 13.9 points per game as a freshman while ranking among the national leaders in three-pointers made. Joe returned for a sophomore season under new coach Eric Musselman, elevating his game even further and solidifying himself as one of the premier shooters in the country. After two strong seasons, he declared for the 2020 NBA Draft and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jaylin Williams, meanwhile, committed to Arkansas in 2020, just months after Joe left for the pros. Williams quickly became a fan favorite in Fayetteville, known for his hustle, rebounding, and elite defensive instincts. He played a crucial role in Arkansas’s deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, including a memorable trip to the Elite Eight in 2022. Williams declared for the NBA Draft that same year and was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Though they didn’t overlap in college, their shared Razorback heritage bonded them even further, and their individual success helped raise the profile of Arkansas basketball.
Reunited in the NBA
Fate had one more twist for these Fort Smith natives: the NBA.
After two seasons with limited opportunity in Philadelphia, Isaiah Joe signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022. It turned out to be the perfect fit. Joe flourished in OKC’s fast-paced, young system, emerging as a deadly three-point weapon and reliable rotation player.
Just months later, Jaylin Williams joined him as a rookie with the Thunder. Suddenly, two Fort Smith kids were back together—not just in the same city, not just on the same court—but now as NBA teammates.
Their chemistry was still there. Joe’s spacing and shooting complemented Williams’ screens and passing. Both players brought the unselfish mentality they developed in Fort Smith and refined in Fayetteville. And both understood what it meant to carry the pride of their hometown on a national stage.
Fort Smith Pride
For Fort Smith, the story of Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe is more than just a basketball tale—it’s a source of civic pride.
Youth players in the area now look up to them not as distant NBA stars, but as real examples of what’s possible. They walked the same school halls, played in the same gyms, and wore the same Northside uniforms. Their success has put Fort Smith on the basketball map and brought national attention to a tight-knit community that raised them.
From local tournaments to Razorback arenas, and now NBA arenas, their journey has inspired an entire region.
A Story Still Being Written
Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe are still early in their professional careers, with plenty of chapters left to write. But no matter how far they go in the NBA, their story will always begin in Fort Smith, Arkansas—where a high school gym served as the first stage for two future pros.
They’ve proven that even from the smallest towns, the biggest dreams can come true—especially when you chase them together.
