Thunder fans meet a couple of star players from the team
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Thunder fans were getting their fill of joy seeing several of their favorite players off the basketball court and out in public.
Alex Caruso helped serve chicken at Raising Cane's while Jalen Williams, also known as J-Dub, signed autographs for 250 dedicated fans.
"The Thunder like inspired me to play basketball," CJ Thomas, Thunder fan, said. "My dream is to make it to the NBA."
Dreams came true on Thursday as Thunder fans were able to get up close and personal with some of their favorite players.
"I am really, really excited," one Thunder fan said.
"I'm a huge fan, and J-Dub is a really good basketball player, and I love watching him play basketball," another Thunder fan said.
Fans were in awe as Jalen Williams stepped into the room at Dick's House of Sport for an autograph signing.
It was the same for hundreds of other fans hours earlier on Thursday as Caruso fried up chicken at Raising Cane's.
"Caruso is one of the best mentality players, and he brings so much energy to the squad," Thomas said.
"He's an amazing player," Elena Johnson, a Thunder fan, said. "I think his stats are very much hidden, but he's what makes the difference on that team."
Caruso said he loves the interaction with fans.
"Doing stuff like this or doing stuff, you know, through the Thunder Cares Program and getting out in the communities is easy for us because they show up for us," Caruso said.
He hit the drive-thru and took a few orders up front, where some fans took pictures and got autographs.
Over at Dick's House of Sport, fans lined up for 12-plus hours, before doors opened Thursday morning to get a wristband.
Only 250 wristbands were given to fans, allowing them to receive an autograph from Williams.
"We've been here since 3 a.m., and I just really hope he signs my hat and my shirt," one Thunder fan said.
"Been here for a long time, more than I would like to say, honestly, but we're here for the journey," another Thunder fan said.
J-Dub says it is easy for him to give back to fans because of his rough journey into the league.
"I didn't know what to expect when I got out here, and they were really cool about just like accepting me," Williams said. "I know there's a lot of like question marks when I got in, like coming from a small school, like, why do we pick me and stuff like that? I never really got that vibe from the fans. It was always just support going through my ups and downs in my career."
Fans let him know just how much they appreciated him as soon as he walked in.
As the Thunder continue their victory lap, fans are embracing every moment they get with the players.
"At the end of the day, we're just making memories, you know," a Thunder fan said.
"Oh, we got a dynasty, we got a dynasty ain't no question about it. So, it's going to be good," another Thunder fan said.
Fans were able to grab pictures and autographs with both Caruso and Williams.
These are the moments fans say will stick with them forever.