UCLA, 1974
• 1972 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1973 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1974 Academic All-America® First Team
Jamaal Wilkes was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Hall of Fame in 1990.
Jamaal “Smooth as Silk” Wilkes has been acclaimed as one of steadiest and productive small forwards to ever play the NBA. With his unwavering command of the game Wilkes earned championships at the scholastic, collegiate, and professional levels. His play as an integral, team player was epitomized in the famous quote by legendary UCLA coach John Wooden: “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,” Wooden told the New York Post in 1985. “Why not just take Jamaal Wilkes and let it go at that.”
As a an All-America Prep player at Santa Barbara High School in California, Wilkes opted to attend UCLA and began an illustrious career as a Bruin. The two-time All-American helped bring his team NCAA titles in 1972 and 1973 and a third place finish in 1974. Additionally, Wilkes played a vital role in UCLA’s unbeatable record of 88 consecutive wins. In 1974 Wilkes was taken as the 11th draft pick of the Golden State Warriors. Shortly after the onset of his professional career, Wilkes converted to Islam and legally changed his name to Abdul-Lateef, yet retained his surname throughout his NBA career. In his very first professional season he was named 1975’s Rookie of the Year as the Warriors won the NBA Championship.
After three seasons with the Warriors Wilkes signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the dynamic team with players Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar that won NBA Championships in 1980, 1982, and in 1985. At his offensive peak in 1980-81, Wilkes scored 22.6 ppg. During his play on the Lakers, the team averaged 114.6 points a game and five of its six top scorers, including Wilkes, shot better than 50 percent. After being plagued by injuries Wilkes left the fast-paced Lakers and signed with the Clippers, but soon retired after Christmas.
After a 12-year basketball career Wilkes moved into the professional sector working in real estate and financial services. Following the release of his book and audio course Success Under Fire: Lessons For Being Your Best In Crunch Time,” Wilkes became a sought after motivational speaker for national organizations and Fortune 500 companies. In 2003, along with his business partner, he founded Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, a firm specializing in wealth management services.