Jamaal Wilkes

“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.” --Legendary Coach John Wooden, when asked by the New York Post to describe his ideal player. Collegiate Academic All-American for three years running. Winning back-to-back NCAA championships. NBA Rookie of the Year and three-time NBA All-Star. Four-time NBA World Champion. Part of the historic “Showtime” Lakers. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. Many people are familiar with Jamaal Wilkes, or “Silk”, on the court. But many don’t know the extraordinary man off of the court. Husband, father and friend, Philanthropist and Motivational speaker

For the first time, in his own words, Wilkes is sharing his personal journey through his new memoir, Jamaal Wilkes: Memoirs of the Original Smooth As Silk. The book reveals the true story of being an “athlete’s athlete” – the level of winning and success encompassed in Wilkes’ professional portfolio, from his beginnings in a champion family to UCLA, an 88-game winning streak, 4-time NBA champion (1 with the Golden State Warriors, 3 with the Los Angeles Lakers), and so much more

Jamaal Keith Wilkes is one of the most honored UCLA basketball players in school history, winning two NCAA Championships and three Pac-10 titles. He was part of UCLA’s NCAA record 88-game winning streak and was a two-time All-American. Wilkes was one of only three Bruins in school history to earn Academic All-American honors for three straight seasons. As in college, Wilkes’ 12-year NBA career was noteworthy for team championships and individual honors. A first round draft selection by the Golden State Warriors, Wilkes played for Golden State (1975-77), the Los Angeles Lakers (1978-85) and the Los Angeles Clippers (1986). The 1975 NBA Rookie of the Year with Golden State, Wilkes played on four NBA Championship teams (1975 Golden State, 1980-82-85 LA Lakers) and was a three-time NBA All-Star (1976-81-83). Wilkes was named to the NBA All-Defensive team twice.

Following his basketball career, Wilkes owned a mortgage and real estate firm for several years. In 2003, along with his business partner, Liza Wayne, Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors (JWFA) was formed. In recent years, JWFA has specialized in investment-grade physical Gold, Silver, and rare pre-1933 U.S. coins (Precious Metals) and became a resource to other advisors and their clients. Jamaal Wilkes is also passionate about promoting a platform to help eradicate obesity in adults and especially children, obesity being the cause of many health risks that include coronary heart disease, some cancers, hypertension and, most especially, Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, Wilkes is a highly sought after motivational speaker for national organizations and Fortune 500 corporations. He is a member of the Boys and Girls Club of America National Hall of Fame, a co-founder of the Jamaal Wilkes UCLA Unicamp Golf Tournament, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Western Region United Way, past member the Board of Trustees of the UCLA Foundation, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Urban League. You may connect with Jamaal Wilkes through Twitter: @jamaalwilkes and Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Jamaal-Wilkes/1391901791124622.