Jalen Williams, guard-forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be the keynote speaker at the 21st annual Champions of Health Gala, Thursday, Sept. 19, in Tulsa.
Williams' 2023-2024 season was a breakout year that solidified his status as a key player in the NBA. Building on his promising rookie campaign, Williams averaged 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game. His consistency and clutch performances were instrumental in helping the Thunder secure a playoff berth and the #1 overall seed in the Western Conference. In the 2024 NBA playoffs, he averaged 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game, playing a pivotal role in the Thunder's playoff run.
Off the court, Williams is known for his humility and community involvement and actively participates in various charitable activities and youth basketball clinics. At the event, Williams will discuss his health journey as a professional athlete and his efforts to give back to the community.
The Champions of Health awards, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, recognize people and organizations working to improve health outcomes and equity throughout the state. Honorees will be announced at the event in the following categories and receive a grant to support their program of work:
Champion of Children’s Health
This award honors a person, program or group for their work to improve the health of Oklahoma children and teens, mainly at-risk and underserved populations, through education, advocacy and/or health care services.
Champion of Community Health
This award honors a person, program or group with innovative ideas and good measurable results in the health of a specific community group.
Champion of Senior Health
This award honors a person, program or group for great success in meeting the health care needs of Oklahoma seniors. It can also honor an older Oklahoman with a healthy lifestyle and community focus, serving as a role model for other seniors.
Champion of the Uninsured
This award honors the efforts of a person, program or group that has improved the health of people that are uninsured. It can also honor a program that has worked to lower the number of uninsured people in Oklahoma.
The Heart of a Champion Award is also given out to an Oklahoma high school athlete who goes above and beyond in their sport and the community. The recipient will be recognized on stage at the event and participate in a jersey swap with Williams.
The Champions of Health Gala is presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and benefits the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing Oklahomans access to preventive health services. Since 1999, the Caring Vans have delivered more than 384,000 vaccines to over 236,000 underserved children statewide.
Sponsorships and tickets to the event are available at championsofhealth.org.