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Jalen Williams hypes Dr. Steven Shin using Kobe Bryant after John Mateer hand surgery

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh13 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
John Mateer
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

You would be hard-pressed to find a bigger celebrity in the state of Oklahoma right now than Dr. Steven Shin. Whether or not he knows it, Dr. Shin became a legend in Norman after performing surgery on Sooners quarterback John Mateer. Turns out, Mateer is not the only star within the state to fly out West to see Dr. Shin.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams needed wrist surgery following the team’s first NBA championship. He put a ton of faith into the doctor due to one reason — Kobe Bryant. Just another positive sign for Mateer as his rehab process continues in the coming weeks.

“I’ll keep it short and sweet,” Williams said at Thunder media day on Monday. “He did Kobe. Dr. Shin is awesome. He’s been good throughout the rehab process and the surgery in general. Actually, crazy enough, he actually did my brother’s ankle stuff, too. He’s kept it in the family.”

Dr. Shin worked with Bryant on multiple occasions in different areas. A pinky finger injury was first up in 2008, getting it fixed after the Beijing Olympics. Three years later, Bryant tore a ligament in his right wrist before Dr. Shin suggested getting surgery. Bryant, instead, decided to play through the injury.

Maybe a popular name in Los Angeles, the fandom in Oklahoma has turned into something completely different. Sooners fans want Dr. Shin to come through for them in a big way, hoping Mateer gets back on the field as soon as possible. A stamp of approval from Williams, another fan favorite from nearby Oklahoma City, only helps.

John Mateer hoping to return in time for Red River Shootout

All things considered, Oklahoma will not miss Mateer too much on Saturday. The Sooners host Kent State for their final nonconference game of the season. Michael Hawkins takes over as the starting quarterback, hoping to show off some of his development under the new coaching staff.

It’s about the following week where questions are being asked. Oct. 11 will be another edition of the Red River Shootout against the Texas Longhorns, quite an important one for both teams. Not having Mateer out there significantly hurts OU, as they go up against a top defense in college football.

On3’s Pete Nakos initially reported there was hope Mateer recovered well enough to play. On Friday, a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz echoed the sentiment.

“The feeling is the surgery performed by Dr. Steven Shin went very well,” Zenitz said via X. “It’s too early to tell how realistic this is but there seems to be at least an outside chance Mateer could be back as early as OU’s game vs. Texas Oct. 11.”