Jamaal Wilkes

2.1. Birth and Family

Jackson Keith Wilkes was born on May 2, 1953, in Berkeley, California. He was one of five children born to L. Leander Wilkes, a Baptist minister, and Thelma (Benson) Wilkes. At the time of Jamaal's birth, his parents already had two daughters. A significant family tragedy occurred when their oldest son died of crib death at 13 months old, while Thelma was four months pregnant with Jamaal. This loss profoundly impacted the family, leading his father, who worked at the Oakland Naval Base, to enter the ministry.

2.2. Childhood and Education

Wilkes did not like being called "Jackie" and preferred to go by "Keith." His family had brief residences in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Dayton, Ohio, before settling in Ventura, California, in 1959 when his father became the pastor at Olivet Baptist Church. Wilkes attended Washington Elementary School and Cabrillo Middle School in Ventura. He was an academically gifted child, skipping the fifth grade. His older sister, Naomi, also skipped two grades and went on to attend Stanford University at the age of 16. A tomboy, Naomi played basketball and was instrumental in helping Wilkes learn the game.

2.3. High School Career

Wilkes excelled in basketball during his high school years. As a junior at Ventura High School in 1969, he earned his second all-league selection in the Channel League and was named the league's player of the year. Prior to his senior year, his father became pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Santa Barbara, prompting the family to move. Although Wilkes was the incoming student body president at Ventura High and his parents initially allowed him to stay, he ultimately decided to move with his family, a decision supported by his Ventura coach, Bob Swanson, who believed a 16-year-old belonged with his family.

At Santa Barbara High School, Wilkes starred alongside future NBA player Don Ford. He led the Dons to an impressive 26 consecutive wins and reached the playoff semifinals during the 1969-70 season. For his outstanding performance, Wilkes was voted the California Interscholastic Federation Class AAAA Player of the Year by the Helms Foundation. He was also recognized as a prep All-American by Parade, Scholastic Magazines, and Sunkist-Coach and Athlete. Both Ventura High School and Santa Barbara High School have retired his jersey number.

3.1. UCLA Period

Upon entering the University of California, Los Angeles, Wilkes immediately made an impact on the freshman team. In his first year, he averaged a team-high 20.0 points per game, contributing to their undefeated 20-0 record, where they outscored opponents by an average of almost 39 points per game. This formidable freshman squad also included future stars Greg Lee (17.9 PPG) and Bill Walton (18.1 PPG, 16 rebounds per game, 68.6% field goal percentage).

The origin of his famous nickname, "Silk," traces back to his freshman year. UCLA students, including band member Oliver Trigg, frequently observed the freshman team practice at Pauley Pavilion. One day, Trigg was so impressed by a move Wilkes executed that he exclaimed at dinner that Wilkes' move was "smooth as silk." The nickname stuck, and by Wilkes' sophomore year in 1971-72, Bruins' broadcaster Dick Enberg began using it on air.

3.2. NCAA Championships and Major Achievements

Wilkes' sophomore year saw him join the varsity team, which was on a streak of five consecutive national championships and had won their last 15 games of the previous season. With the departure of key players like Sidney Wicks, Curtis Rowe, and Steve Patterson, Wilkes, along with fellow sophomores Walton and Lee, stepped into the starting lineup, joining veteran Henry Bibby and Larry Farmer. The Bruins started the season by scoring over 100 points in their first seven games, culminating in a perfect 30-0 season where they won by an average of 30.3 points per game. Wilkes averaged a college career-high 8.2 rebounds per game and was named a second-team All-Pacific-8 selection. In the NCAA title game, UCLA secured an 81-76 victory over Florida State. Wilkes contributed a season-high 23 points on 11-of-16 shooting and 10 rebounds, while Walton was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Both were selected to the all-tournament team.

In his junior year, 1972-73, Wilkes averaged 14.8 points and was named a consensus first-team All-American as UCLA once again finished 30-0. On January 27, 1973, they defeated Notre Dame for their 61st consecutive win, breaking San Francisco's record. This streak eventually reached 88 games. The Bruins won the championship final against Memphis State, with Wilkes scoring 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

The 1973-74 season began with UCLA's winning streak at 75 games. They extended it to 88 before a narrow 71-70 loss to Notre Dame, ending the historic run. UCLA advanced to the 1974 NCAA tournament semifinals, where they lost 80-77 in overtime to NC State. Wilkes concluded his senior year with a career-high 16.7 points per game and was a unanimous selection for the All-America first team and the All-Pac-8 first team for the second consecutive year.

Over his three years at UCLA, Wilkes' teams amassed an impressive 86-4 record, with all four losses occurring in his senior year. He was known as one of the Bruins' most consistent players, averaging 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game with a field goal percentage of 51.4%. Demonstrating his commitment to academics, Wilkes was a three-time first-team Academic All-American from 1972 to 1974, graduating from UCLA in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.

4.1. Golden State Warriors

Wilkes was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1974 NBA draft with the 11th overall pick. Initially, his training was hampered by his involvement in filming the movie "Cornbread, Earl and Me", causing him to arrive at rookie camp out of shape. However, he quickly dedicated himself to improving his conditioning through gym workouts and martial arts classes.

In his rookie season, 1974-75, few expected the Warriors to contend for a championship. Wilkes, however, became a starter after only eight games, replacing Derrek Dickey. Despite his slim build, the 6.5 ft ^{(1.98 m)} Wilkes played power forward alongside Rick Barry at small forward, often guarding players significantly taller and heavier than himself. He averaged 14.2 points per game, second only to Barry's 30.6, and was also second on the team in rebounding with 8.2 per game. His impressive performance earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Barry praised Wilkes for his consistent effort, noting, "[Wilkes] knows he must play the boards, and goes up against the [Paul] Silases and [Spencer] Haywoods each night. He's not flashy. But he gets the job done." Teammate Bill Bridges added that Wilkes was "so intelligent and fundamentally sound. He makes contributions even when he's not scoring. He's already a complete player."

In the playoffs, Wilkes averaged 15.0 points and was lauded for his defense against key opponents like Chicago's Bob Love and Elvin Hayes of Washington. The Warriors famously swept the Bullets in the 1975 NBA Finals, securing a league title in Wilkes' rookie season. The following season, 1975-76, he was named to his first NBA All-Star Game. He again ranked second on the Warriors in rebounding (8.8) and received the first of two consecutive NBA All-Defensive Second Team selections. Wilkes' scoring average improved to 17.8 in the regular season and 15.9 in the postseason, as Golden State advanced to the Western Conference finals before losing in seven games.

After three years with Golden State, where he averaged 16.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, Wilkes signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent. Wilkes stated that then-Warriors general manager Dick Vertlieb had reneged on a promise to renegotiate his contract after a strong rookie showing, though Vertlieb denied this. Wilkes reportedly took less money to join the Lakers, citing a need for a "change of scenery, a fresh start." His decision was heavily influenced by the opportunity to return to Southern California, where he had grown up and attended college. He was frustrated by some Bay Area sportswriters who portrayed him as a deserter for playing out his option and signing with a rival in the Pacific Division.

4.2. Los Angeles Lakers

Wilkes' tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers began in 1977-78. The Lakers, coming off a league-high 53-win season but eliminated in the Western Conference finals, saw Wilkes as the top-rate forward that head coach Jerry West desired. His first season was hampered by a broken finger and other injuries, limiting him to 51 games and an average of 12.9 points. This led to accusations of malingering from an anonymous team official and a perception among some Lakers fans that he was overrated.

However, Wilkes rebounded strongly in the following season, delivering his best professional season to date with an average of 18.6 points per game and shooting 50.4%. For a five-season period from 1978 through 1983, he consistently ranked as the Lakers' second-leading scorer, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Leading up to the 1979-80 season, Wilkes was a free agent, and new Lakers owner Jerry Buss made his re-signing a top priority. The Lakers made a strategic trade, sending Adrian Dantley to Utah for Spencer Haywood, a 6.8 ft ^{(2.06 m)} player who became the team's first bona-fide power forward since Wilkes joined. This move allowed Wilkes, who had played power forward his entire NBA career, to shift to his natural small forward position, relieving him from guarding players up to 5.0 in ^{(12.7 cm)} taller and 50 lb ^{(22.68 kg)} heavier. He re-signed to a reported long-term deal worth 600.00 K USD per year. That same year, the Lakers also drafted Magic Johnson with the first overall pick. When head coach Jack McKinney was injured midseason in a bicycle accident, assistant Paul Westhead took over. Freed from the physical demands of playing power forward, Wilkes thrived in the Lakers' fast break offense, averaging 20 points per game and shooting 53.5% that season. He was instrumental in the success of the "Showtime" Lakers, contributing to three NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985).

One of the most memorable games of his career was the series-clinching Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Wilkes delivered a career-high 37 points and 10 rebounds. However, his performance was somewhat overshadowed by the rookie Johnson, who famously started at center in place of an injured Abdul-Jabbar and finished with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. Johnson himself acknowledged Wilkes's crucial role, stating in 2011, "Jamaal Wilkes had an unbelievable game. Everybody talked about my 42 [points], but it was also his [37-point effort]."

Wilkes had his best offensive season in 1980-81, averaging 22.6 points, which ranked 11th in the NBA, and shooting 52.6%. He also played in the 1981 NBA All-Star Game. Despite his strong individual performance, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Houston in a best-of-three series.

A significant personal tragedy struck Wilkes soon before the start of training camp in 1981-82 when his eight-day-old daughter died, marking the second time he lost a child as a baby. He started the season slowly, even considering quitting basketball after a 1-for-10 shooting performance in a loss to San Antonio in November 1982. The team faced internal turmoil, with Magic Johnson demanding a trade. In response, Buss fired Westhead, replacing him with assistant Pat Riley. Wilkes recovered his form, averaging 21.1 points and shooting 52.5% as Los Angeles advanced to the 1982 NBA Finals, again facing Philadelphia. He scored a team-high 27 points in Game 6, leading the Lakers to a 4-2 series victory. In 1982, Wilkes signed a long-term contract extension with the Lakers, reportedly a six-year, 5.30 M USD guaranteed deal. The Lakers also selected James Worthy with the first overall pick of the 1982 NBA draft, a pick they had acquired three years prior. Although Wilkes was still in his prime, the Lakers valued Worthy's versatility and potential. Wilkes received his third All-Star selection in 1983.

In 1983-84, Wilkes's performance was significantly impacted by a gastrointestinal virus, causing him to miss seven regular season games and the first seven games of the playoffs. He initially missed three games in late February 1984, returned for a month, then was sidelined for another four games. In the five seasons prior (1978-79 to 1982-83), he had missed only three games out of 410 and twice led the team in minutes played. Wilkes finished the regular season averaging 17.3 points and led the team in scoring 18 times, though not after February 28, as the infection began to take its toll. Suffering from persistent headaches, stomach cramps, and cold chills, he initially thought he had the flu. When antibiotics from team doctors proved ineffective, his personal physician diagnosed his condition as a parasite. Upon his return to the playoffs on May 8 against Dallas, Wilkes received a standing ovation from the Forum crowd. Out of shape due to the layoff, he saw limited play and averaged only 4.5 points in 14 games, shooting just 40%. This ended a streak of 58 consecutive playoff games where he had scored 10 or more points. Meanwhile, Worthy excelled at small forward and became a key player for the Lakers, especially during the finals against the Boston Celtics.

After hearing his name in trade rumors during the offseason, Wilkes began the 1984-85 season starting at forward alongside Worthy. However, after the Lakers started the season with a 3-5 record, Wilkes lost his starting spot to Larry Spriggs. His play eventually improved, peaking with a season-high 24 points in a win over Portland on January 29, 1985. Three days later, on February 1, ligaments in his left knee were torn when the Knicks' Ernie Grunfeld ran into him. This injury forced Wilkes to miss the final 40 games of the regular season and the entire playoffs. He finished the season with then-career-lows of 42 games played and 8.3 points per game. Despite his absence, the Lakers went on to win the 1985 NBA Finals over the Celtics, with Worthy emerging as one of their leaders.

4.3. Los Angeles Clippers

Following his knee injury, Wilkes' leg atrophied, and he had to relearn how to walk. After rehabilitating his knee and playing in the Southern California Summer Pro League, the Lakers waived him on August 28, 1985. At the time, he still had three years and 2.40 M USD remaining on his guaranteed contract. The team cited the NBA salary cap as the reason, a move that allowed him to negotiate with any team without his Lakers' salary affecting that team's cap. Wilkes also became expendable after the Lakers drafted A. C. Green.

On September 27, 1985, Wilkes was signed by the Los Angeles Clippers for the league minimum salary of 70.00 K USD. However, he was sidelined for almost a month of the season due to a sprained ankle. On December 24, Wilkes unexpectedly announced his retirement after a 12-year career, citing his limited contributions to the team. He was averaging 5.8 points in 15 minutes per game at the time. In 2015, he reflected that he had hoped to help the Clippers reach the playoffs, but realized the team had a losing culture and decided he was "better off retiring." The Clippers were the first losing team of his professional career, and it was the first time he had played on a team with a losing record since he began playing basketball in the third grade; his professional teams had never missed the playoffs. After his successful NBA career, he ruled out continuing to play in Europe, stating, "I could still walk down the street without limping. There were more reasons to get out than to stay in it."

5.1. Playing Style and Nickname

Wilkes earned the nickname "Silk" due to his smooth, effortless movements on the court. He rarely performed dunks, preferring instead a layup off the glass, a technique emphasized by his UCLA head coach, John Wooden. Wilkes once commented, "I'm not going to sell tickets because I'm exciting or flashy, but if people appreciate good basketball, they might want to watch me." His playing style was characterized by efficiency and effectiveness rather than overt flashiness. He was adept at playing well without constantly needing the ball in his hands. Wilkes was a potent threat from outside the paint and equally capable of driving to the basket. He was also notable for rarely committing turnovers. In the half-court offense, he possessed a unique ability to break free under the basket and receive quick passes for easy layups. Most of his scoring came from mid-range jump shots.

5.2. Shooting Form and Technique

Wilkes possessed an unorthodox yet remarkably reliable jump shot. He released the ball with a peculiar "corkscrew" motion, bringing it from behind his ear and over his head, resembling a slingshot. His feet barely left the floor when he shot, almost as if he was on his toes. He developed this distinctive shot as a child to effectively compete against larger and stronger opponents on the playground, allowing him to delay the release of the ball to avoid it being blocked. Coach Wooden, despite his emphasis on fundamental form, allowed Wilkes to continue using this unconventional shot because of its consistent effectiveness. Rick Barry, his teammate with the Warriors, described Wilkes' shooting form as "the ugliest I ever saw. Until I started analyzing it. Yeah, he had that crazy right elbow flying out, but it came back straight to the basket before he let it go. In practice, it was ridiculous how easily he scored off me." Lakers teammate Norm Nixon echoed this sentiment, saying, "That shot was so ugly that people would say he can't make that shot, but he always surprised."

Many observers initially doubted that the slender Wilkes could withstand the physical demands of the NBA. However, he diligently trained with Nautilus equipment. Although not overtly muscular, Wooden affirmed his underlying strength and noted that Wilkes was never injured during his college career. On the court, Wilkes was known for his quiet demeanor and showed little emotion. According to Wooden, he was not passive but competed effectively without resorting to fighting or animated displays. When called for a foul, Wilkes would simply raise his index finger to acknowledge the call, believing that officials appreciated players who did not complain.

Wilkes was often overshadowed by his star teammates throughout his career, even in his best games, as he consistently prioritized team success over individual accolades. He famously stated, "I learned at a very young age, you can debate who the best player was or wasn't, but you can't debate who won or lost." He understood that by re-signing with the Lakers in 1979, he might be overlooked, but he chose the opportunity to win NBA championships. Despite this, he did appreciate recognition. When asked if he ever felt slighted, he replied, "Slighted may be a bit strong, but it was something I was sensitive to. But I enjoyed the lifestyle. That was the tradeoff." He felt valued by his teammates, coaches, and owners, adding that any lingering feelings of being overlooked "post-basketball it might have rankled me a bit more."

6.1. Religious Conversion and Name Change

Wilkes became involved with orthodox Islam for two years before formally converting. He selected his Islamic name, Jamaal Abdul-Lateef, near the end of 1974, during his rookie year in the NBA. His parents were initially shocked and upset by his conversion. He legally changed his name to Jamaal Abdul-Lateef in 1975 but continued to use his birth surname, Wilkes, for public recognition purposes, particularly in his professional basketball career.

6.2. Family and Personal Tragedies

Wilkes faced profound personal challenges throughout his life, particularly concerning the loss of his children. With his first wife, he had a daughter born in 1977 who had a hole in her heart and weighed only 3.0 lb ^{(1.36 kg)}. She tragically died after four months. During this difficult period, Wilkes separated from his wife and filed for divorce, ending their two-year marriage. That same year, he was also involved in a paternity suit, though he was ultimately judged not to be the father.

Wilkes married his second wife in 1980. Their first daughter together died when she was just eight days old in 1981, marking his second child loss as a baby. Despite these heart-wrenching experiences, they went on to have three more children: two sons and a daughter. His older son, Omar, a 6.3 ft ^{(1.93 m)} shooting guard, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and later became a sports agent. His younger son, Jordan, also a Berkeley graduate, played as a 7.2 ft ^{(2.18 m)} center and joined the Lakers' basketball operations staff before the 2014-15 season. Wilkes' daughter played on the UCLA volleyball team.

6.3. Experience with Racial Discrimination

In December 1990, Wilkes, a Black American, was pulled over by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and handcuffed. He accused them of racial profiling and filed a complaint. According to Wilkes, the officers claimed his license plate was about to expire and handcuffed him for 15-20 minutes after he responded, "Well, it's not expired." He did not pursue further action after the widely publicized beating of Rodney King by four police officers three months later, which was captured on video. Wilkes believed the King incident was an indisputable case of racist behavior by the LAPD. However, the officers' acquittal in 1992 sparked widespread riots in Los Angeles County.

7.1. Business and Financial Services

Following his playing career, Wilkes initially ventured into real estate. However, he found the profession involved "too much haggling and arguing," which did not align with his self-perception as a "people person" who wanted to "help people solve problems." He subsequently shifted his focus to financial services and motivational speaking. In 2003, he co-founded Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, a firm specializing in wealth management. He also co-authored the book Success Under Fire: Lessons For Being Your Best In Crunch Time, which explores principles of success under pressure.

7.2. Writing and Speaking Engagements

Wilkes has shared his life experiences and insights through writing and public speaking. In 2015, he co-authored his autobiography, Smooth as Silk: Memoirs of the Original, providing a personal account of his journey. He is also an active motivational speaker, enthralling audiences with stories from his time at UCLA and with the Lakers.

7.3. Basketball Operations

Beyond his business ventures, Wilkes remained connected to the sport. In 2000, he was hired as vice president of basketball operations by the Los Angeles Stars for the inaugural season of the new American Basketball Association (ABA). At Wilkes' personal request, his former college coach, John Wooden, also joined the Stars as a consultant, highlighting the enduring respect and connection between the two.

Wilkes also made forays into acting. He made his feature-film debut playing the lead titular character of basketball player Nathaniel "Cornbread" Hamilton in the 1975 drama Cornbread, Earl and Me. He also made a guest appearance on an episode of the television program Trapper John, M.D. in 1981.

8.1. Major Awards and Honors

Wilkes has received numerous accolades and honors throughout and after his career, acknowledging his impact on the sport. He was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pac-10 Men's Basketball Hall of Honor in 2007. In 2012, nearly three decades after his last NBA game, he was voted as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His formal induction took place on September 7, where he was presented by former teammates and fellow Hall of Famers Bill Walton, Rick Barry, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson.

Further cementing his place in basketball history, the Los Angeles Lakers retired his No. 52 jersey on December 28, 2012. Shortly thereafter, on January 17, 2013, UCLA also retired his college number, also 52. His number was additionally retired by both Ventura High School and Santa Barbara High School, recognizing his high school achievements.

8.2. Positive Assessments

Wilkes consistently earned high praise from those who worked with him. Legendary coach John Wooden, when asked to describe his ideal player in multiple interviews, including one with the New York Post in 1985, stated: "I would have the player be a good student, polite, courteous, a good team player, a good defensive player and rebounder, a good inside player and outside shooter. Why not just take Jamaal Wilkes and let it go at that." The Los Angeles Times called Wooden's praise "probably the greatest honor any player could receive."

Al Attles, Wilkes' head coach at Golden State, commended his versatility and dedication: "Whatever we asked of him-scoring, defense, rebounding, playing bigger forwards-he did and did well." Lakers owner Jerry Buss praised Wilkes as "a rare combination of selflessness and grace, Jamaal made the game look effortless. It's easy to forget that Jamaal averaged 20-plus points during our 1980 and 1982 championship seasons."

8.3. Influence and Impact

Wilkes was never the primary star on his championship teams, consistently playing an outstanding supporting role in the shadow of luminaries like Walton at UCLA, Barry with Golden State, and Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson on the Lakers. He excelled at contributing in whatever area the team needed most, whether it was scoring, rebounding, or defending.

His college career began with a remarkable 73-0 record, as he was part of UCLA's record-breaking 88-game winning streak. He teamed with three-time national player of the year Walton to lead the Bruins to two consecutive national championships, extending their record streak to seven. Wilkes enjoyed his most successful NBA seasons with the Lakers, spending eight seasons with the franchise. He joined forces with Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson to launch the Lakers' iconic Showtime era, contributing to three NBA championships in the early 1980s. Wilkes was a crucial component of their famed fast break, consistently filling the lane and converting Johnson's passes into layups. From 1979 to 1983, Wilkes averaged over 20 points per game and shot 53% from the field. Lakers' announcer Chick Hearn famously dubbed his consistent mid-range jumper the "20-foot layup."

Despite his significant contributions, Wilkes is sometimes overlooked compared to other Showtime-era players like James Worthy and Michael Cooper, who were known for their above-the-rim finishing. Wooden himself noted, "I don't think [Wilkes] got the credit he deserved, either in college or the pros. He was unspectacular, but he played his same consistent game all the time."

For his NBA career, Wilkes accumulated 14,664 points (averaging 17.7 per game) and 5,117 rebounds (averaging 6.2). He maintained a career field goal percentage of 49.9% and averaged 16.1 points per game in 113 postseason games. He was selected to the All-Star Game in 1976, 1981, and 1983, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice. The Sporting News also named Wilkes to its NBA All-Pro Second Team three times. In his first nine seasons, he demonstrated remarkable durability, playing in at least 80 games seven times.

9.1. Regular season

9.2. Playoffs