Kenrich Williams knew what to expect next whenever he beat Desmond Bane in a game of NBA 2K.

Bane, who was only a TCU freshman at the time in 2016, would challenge his redshirt junior teammate to a real game of one-on-one with hopes of evening the score. And the winners of those battles vary depending on who you ask.

"He never beat me in one-on-one, bro," Williams told The Oklahoman , denying Bane's claim that he did. "It's like a little brother. I'd beat him on the video game, and he'd want to play in real life. He's super competitive, but I'm up on the series as far as one-on-one."

Williams and Bane are still competing against each other nine years later. But there's more on the line than just bragging rights in their current series.

The former college teammates are on opposite ends of the sideline in a first-round playoff matchup between OKC and Memphis . Williams and the Thunder hold a 2-0 lead over Bane and the Grizzlies entering Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. CT Thursday .

"It's dope, man," Bane told The Oklahoman. "I wish the best for him. Not in this series, but any other time. That's my guy."

Williams and Bane are the only TCU alums on standard NBA deals, and they both took unlikely paths to the league.

Williams joined the Horned Frogs in 2014 with plenty to prove. The Waco, Texas, native didn't receive a single Division I offer in high school, which is why he spent his freshman season at New Mexico Junior College.

Williams was a part-time starter during his first season with TCU. He then missed the entire 2015-16 campaign due to a knee injury, and the team went 12-21 (2-16 Big 12).

That led to a coaching change for the Horned Frogs, who hired Jamie Dixon. And when he asked around the program about the roster he inherited, it didn't take long for the former Pittsburgh head coach to learn about Williams' reputation.

"The players had a respect for his toughness," Dixon told The Oklahoman . "That was probably what stood out first. There was certainly a level of respect. His numbers weren't overwhelming, but he was the toughest guy here."

Toughness. That was a key component of the culture Dixon wanted to build in Year 1, and he also found that on the recruiting trail with Bane.

Similar to Williams, the 6-foot-5 guard was overlooked by college scouts in high school. He was taking official visits to Division II programs entering his senior year at Seton Catholic in his hometown of Richmond, Indiana.

But Bane received a scholarship from TCU just a few weeks before he graduated, and he committed soon afterwards. He was the second high school signing for Dixon, who admittedly had to search for diamonds in the rough.

"I'll be honest with you, we had to get a couple of guys late," Dixon said. "But he just wanted to play at the highest level. He wanted to prove himself, and that was the thing that really stood out. ... He had a willingness to work. He didn't want anything handed to him."

The same can be said of Williams, who earned the nickname "Kenny Hustle" during his time at TCU for his blue-collar approach to basketball.

So it should come as no surprise that he and Bane connected right away.

"We're from similar backgrounds," Bane said. "He's a low-key guy, doesn't need much. ... He approaches his craft the right way and works really hard. It's a lot of the things that I appreciate as well."

Williams and Bane helped TCU win the 2017 NIT championship during their first season together.

The duo then led the Horned Frogs to the 2018 NCAA Tournament. It marked TCU's first tournament appearance since 1998, ending a 20-year drought.

"I wish we could've been in it a little bit longer," Bane said of TCU's tournament run, which ended in the first round. "But it was still super cool. I've got nothing but great memories at TCU, and it started with (Williams)."

Williams didn't get selected in the 2018 NBA Draft, but he signed with New Orleans and later got traded to OKC in 2020. He quickly became a fan favorite by playing the same tough brand of basketball from his TCU days.

Williams carved out a role off the bench for OKC. And after averaging 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds during the 2021-22 season, he was rewarded with a four-year, $27.2 million contract extension.

Bane also earned his spot in the NBA. He was selected with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2020 draft by Boston, which traded him to Memphis.

Bane immediately contributed to the Grizzlies and made the 2021 All-Rookie second team. And after averaging 21.5 points and five rebounds during the 2022-23 season, he inked a five-year, $207 million max contract extension.

"To be able to start together in college and get here on this level, it's something that I don't take for granted," Williams said. "And I know he doesn't either. We always show love to each other, for sure."

That includes celebrating their accomplishments.

TCU retired Williams' jersey last season, and it retired Bane's jersey this season. The former teammates made the trip to Fort Worth, Texas, for both ceremonies.

It's a well-deserved honor for Williams and Bane, whose jerseys are now next to each other on the wall of section 210 in Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena.

That's something both of them cherish. Because as much as the two competitors love besting each other on the court, there's no greater feeling than being side by side.

"It means a lot," Williams said. "That's something that's gonna be there forever. My kids will be able to see that, and his kids will be able to see that. It's super big, man, especially coming from where we come from."