Jamaal Wilkes

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Wilkes played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning two NCAA championships under John Wooden. He was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 1974 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. In his first season, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year and helped the Warriors win the 1975 NBA title. After three seasons with Golden State, he signed with the Lakers as a free agent, winning three more championships during the Showtime era. He briefly played with the Los Angeles Clippers before retiring. His jersey No. 52 was retired by both UCLA and the Lakers. He played the titular role of Cornbread in the 1975 film *Cornbread, Earl and Me*.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of 'Silk' at the Lakers is one of resilience and immediate impact following a rocky start. After his injury-plagued debut season, Wilkes silenced critics by dominating in 1978–79, averaging 18.6 points and shooting over 50% from the field. This turnaround established him as the team's second-leading scorer for five straight seasons through 1983. His journey was marked by a deliberate choice to return to Southern California, where he had grown up in Ventura and attended UCLA, despite some Bay Area writers labeling him a 'deserter.' Wilkes famously stated that 'money isn't everything' and prioritized the change of scenery over financial gain. This decision proved pivotal, as his fundamental soundness and scoring consistency helped guide the Lakers to three more NBA championships during their storied Showtime era.

Reader's Guide

Wilkes was a consistent and fundamentally sound forward, known for his smooth style. He averaged 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in college, shooting 51.4% from the field. In the NBA, he was a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection. He was a three-time first-team Academic All-American at UCLA, graduating with a BA in economics.

Did You Know?

• Wilkes earned the nickname "Silk" after a UCLA band member praised his smooth move during a freshman practice.
• He skipped the fifth grade and his older sister Naomi skipped two grades, attending Stanford at age 16.
• Wilkes arrived at rookie camp out of shape after neglecting training while filming a movie, but improved through gym work and martial arts classes.