Jamar Wilson

{{Short description|American-Finnish basketball player}}

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Jamar Wilson

| image = EuroBasket 2017 France vs Finland 22.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Wilson with the Finland national team in 2017

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 185

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|2|22}}

| birth_place = Bronx, New York, U.S.

| nationality = American / Finnish

| high_school =

| college = Albany (2002–2007)

| draft_year = 2007

| career_start = 2007

| career_end = 2022

| career_number =

| career_position = Point guard

| years1 = 2007–2008

| team1 = Wolves Verviers-Pepinster

| years2 = 2008–2009

| team2 = Liège

| years3 = 2009–2010

| team3 = Okapi Aalstar

| years4 = 2010–2011

| team4 = Honka Playboys

| years5 = 20112014

| team5 = Cairns Taipans

| years6 = 2014–2015

| team6 = Adelaide 36ers

| years7 = 2015

| team7 = SPO Rouen

| years8 = 2015–2016

| team8 = Partizan

| years9 = 2016–2017

| team9 = Estudiantes

| years10 = 2017–2018

| team10 = Nanterre 92

| years11 = 2018–2019

| team11 = BC Lietkabelis

| years12 = 2019–2020

| team12 = JL Bourg

| years13 = 2020–2022

| team13 = Kataja Basket

| years14 = 2022

| team14 = Boulazac Basket Dordogne

| highlights =

}}

Jamar J. Wilson (born February 22, 1984) is an American-Finnish former professional basketball player who last played for Boulazac Basket Dordogne of the LNB Pro B. He currently works as an assistant coach for I division A team Tapiolan Honka.

High school career

Wilson attended All Hallows High School in Bronx, New York for two years before transferring to Our Savior New American School in Centereach, New York. As a senior, he averaged 14.2 points, 5.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game as he led Pioneers to a 25–11 record and the 2002 NACA Division I Boys Basketball National Championship.

College career

Wilson played college basketball at Albany from 2002 to 2007. He made an immediate impact, as he was named the America East Conference rookie of the year and second-team All-Conference as a freshman after averaging 18.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. After a medical redshirt in the 2003–04 season, Wilson came back to again make the All-Conference second team.

For the next two seasons, Wilson took his game to another level and led the Great Danes to their first two NCAA Division I tournament appearances. Wilson was named first team All-Conference both years and was named America East Conference player of the year in each of his last two seasons. Wilson also raised his level of play in the America East tournament, earning tournament MVP honors both years. Wilson was also named an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press both seasons.{{cite web| title = #31 Jamar Wilson | work = ualbanysports.com | url = http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=858139 | access-date = February 6, 2014}}

Wilson scored 2,164 points in his Albany career – the most in school history. He also set school records in points in a season (620 his senior year), career free throws (601), and finished second all-time in assists (488). He is the first player in school history to have his jersey retired.{{cite web | title = UAlbany Yearbook: 2011–12 Basketball | work = Albany Athletics | url = https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/122222.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=15800 | access-date = January 29, 2012 | archive-date = March 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110801/https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/122222.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=15800 | url-status = dead }}

Professional career

=Belgium (2007–2010)=

In August 2007, Wilson signed with VOO Wolves Verviers-Pepinster of Belgium for the 2007–08 season.[https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamar-wilson-a7143059 Jamar Wilson | LinkedIn] In 27 games for Verviers-Pepinster, he averaged 17.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

In August 2008, Wilson signed with Belgacom Liège Basket for the 2008–09 season. In 30 league games for Liège, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

In September 2009, Wilson signed with Generali Okapi Aalstar for the 2009–10 season. In 28 league games for Aalstar, he averaged 12.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

=Finland (2010–2011)=

In September 2010, Wilson signed with Honka Espoo Playboys of Finland's Korisliiga for the 2010–11 season. In a game against Namika Lahti in January 2011, Wilson scored 45 points, and two days later, scored 44 points against Helsinki. In 42 games for Honka, he averaged 21.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

=Australia (2011–2015)=

On August 5, 2011, Wilson signed with the Cairns Taipans for the 2011–12 NBL season.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140221194915/http://www.taipans.com/article/id/18yurkggfpcw51q5huydkb380f Taipans Sign First Import #5 Jamar Wilson] He was named player of the week twice and finished second in the MVP voting.[http://bankedshot.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/201112-iinet-nbl-championship-awards.html 2011/12 IINet NBL Championship awards]

On April 3, 2012, Wilson re-signed with the Taipans on a two-year deal.{{Cite web |url=http://andthefoul.net/archives/3321 |title=Wilson Re-Signs For Two Years |access-date=2014-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222151942/http://andthefoul.net/archives/3321 |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }}

On March 1, 2014, Wilson recorded a career-high 33 points, along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists, in a 92–87 win over the New Zealand Breakers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140305004354/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/15ny3g78s4dj1nmzjkkc5xyv4 R20 Report: Wilson shines, Taipans down New Zealand]

In April 2014, it was announced that Wilson would not re-sign with the Taipans for 2014–15.{{Cite web |url=http://andthefoul.net/archives/8262 |title=Cairns Sign Corey Maynard |access-date=2014-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629055011/http://andthefoul.net/archives/8262 |archive-date=2014-06-29 |url-status=dead }}

On July 8, 2014, Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181032/http://www.adelaide36ers.com/article/id/jelt6j3kls771ajpblnqo0b9k Jamar Wilson Joins Adelaide] On January 13, 2015, he was named Player of the Week for Round 14 after scoring an equal game-high 22 points against Melbourne United on January 10.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150203075555/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1wr050f0159651wu12ohr2qc3s R14 Player of the Week: Jamar Wilson] He went on to win Round 17 Player of the Week honors as well after scoring a game-high 25 points against the Townsville Crocodiles on February 1.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150203083045/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/bc77fh3x14p21uh5pp35fk0tv R17 Player of the Week: Jamar Wilson] After earning All-NBL second team honors for the 2014–15 season,[https://web.archive.org/web/20150311165709/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/sdosmznqddpe1js1gnk67ey2j NBL Awards: All-NBL First Team] Wilson was named the recipient of the Mark Davis Trophy as the 2015 Adelaide 36ers club MVP.[https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/576711404083752960 Jamar won the MVP with 97 votes...]

In 107 NBL games over four seasons, Wilson averaged 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.[http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=194020306&client=0-189-88243-193068-11144829 Player statistics for Jamar Wilson]

=Rouen Basket (2015)=

On March 12, 2015, Wilson signed with French team SPO Rouen Basket for the rest of the 2014–15 LNB Pro A season.[http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/france/155088/spo-rouen-lands-jamar-wilson.html SPO Rouen lands Jamar Wilson] In eight games for Rouen, he averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.{{cite news|title=Jamar Wilson|url=http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Pro-A/200006/Joueurs/A40098/Jamar-Wilson?saison=2014|work=LNB.fr|access-date=December 23, 2015|language=fr}}

=Partizan (2015–2016)=

On November 7, 2015, Wilson signed with Serbian team Partizan Belgrade for the rest of the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|title=Official: Octagon Europe point guard &...|url=https://twitter.com/OctagonBballEU/status/662950640327503872|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=Twitter|date=November 7, 2015}}{{cite news|title=Džamar Vilson – Dobrodošao u Partizan!|url=http://kkpartizan.rs/sr/vest/1714/dzamar-vilson-dobrodosao-u-partizan|access-date=November 10, 2015|work=kkpartizan.rs|date=November 9, 2015|language=sr}}

=Estudiantes (2016–2017)=

On August 1, 2016, Wilson signed with Estudiantes of Spain for the 2016–17 ACB season.{{cite news|title=Jamar Wilson, base internacional con Finlandia, primer fichaje de Movistar Estudiantes|url=http://www.clubestudiantes.com/frontend/clubestudiantes/noticia.php?id_noticia=13610&id_seccion=489|access-date=August 1, 2016|work=clubestudiantes.com|date=August 1, 2016|language=es}}

=Nanterre 92 (2017–2018)=

On November 7, 2017, Wilson signed with Nanterre 92 for the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|title=Jamar Wilson announced by Nanterre|url=http://www.eurohoops.net/en/fiba-champions-league/549059/jamar-wilson-announced-nanterre/|access-date=November 8, 2017|work=Eurohoops.net|date=November 7, 2017}}

=BC Lietkabelis (2018–2019)=

On August 2, 2018, he signed with BC Lietkabelis of the Lithuanian Basketball League.{{cite web |title=Jamar Wilson signs with KK Lietkabelis |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/lithuania/284411/jamar-wilson-signs-with-kk-lietkabelis.html |website=Sportando |access-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803074114/https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/lithuania/284411/jamar-wilson-signs-with-kk-lietkabelis.html |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |url-status=dead }}

=JL Bourg (2019–2020)=

On June 12, 2019, he has signed with JL Bourg of the LNB Pro A.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/jl-bourg-signs-jamar-wilson/|title=JL Bourg signs Jamar Wilson|date=June 12, 2019|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 13, 2019}}

=Kataja BC (2020–2022)=

On February 18, 2020, Wilson signed with Kataja BC of the Finnish league.{{cite news |title=Jamar Wilson signs with Kataja |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/jamar-wilson-signs-with-kataja/ |website=Sportando |access-date=February 18, 2020 |date=February 18, 2020}}

=Boulazac Basket (2022–present)=

On March 22, 2022, he has signed with Boulazac Basket Dordogne of the LNB Pro B.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Finland/news/736359/Boulazac-adds-Wilson-to-their-roster,-ex-Kataja|title=Boulazac adds Wilson to their roster, ex Kataja|last=|first=|date=March 22, 2022|website=|publisher=Eurobasket|language=En|access-date=March 23, 2022}}

National team career

Wilson never received an invitation to play for the United States national team. After having received Finnish citizenship,[https://www.fiba.basketball/news/new-finn-wilson-could-bring-new-dimension-to-susijengi New Finn Wilson could bring new dimension to Susijengi] he immediately became a potential candidate to be a member of the Finnish national team.{{cite web|title=Jamar Wilsonista Suomen kansalainen, liittyy Susijengi-vahvuuteen|url=http://www.basket.fi/uutiset/kaikki_uutiset/?x122462=32009203|work=basket.fi|date=June 3, 2015|access-date=June 3, 2015|language=fi}} He made his international debut for Finland on August 1, 2015, in a friendly match against France.{{cite web|title=Suomi voitti Ranskan koripallon harjoitusottelussa|url=http://www.mtv.fi/sport/muut-lajit/koripallo/artikkeli/suomi-voitti-ranskan-koripallon-harjoitusottelussa/5247838|work=mtv.fi|date=August 1, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2015|language=fi|archive-date=August 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829184726/https://www.mtv.fi/sport/muut-lajit/koripallo/artikkeli/suomi-voitti-ranskan-koripallon-harjoitusottelussa/5247838|url-status=dead}}

Wilson was a member of the Finnish national team at EuroBasket 2015. On September 5, 2015, he debuted for the team in a 97–87 overtime loss to France in Round 1, scoring a team-high 21 points.{{cite news|title=OT needed but France survive opening examination|url=http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/cid_FaTi64YyIbQDnvc3JDbil1.gameID_9323-A-3-1.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.teamID_.html|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=eurobasket2015.org|date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924003428/http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/cid_FaTi64YyIbQDnvc3JDbil1.gameID_9323-A-3-1.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.teamID_.html|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=usurped}} In the fourth match of the group stage against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland won 88–59 behind Wilson's team-high 16 points.{{cite news|title=D the key for Finns|url=http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.gameID_9323-A-11-4.html|access-date=November 7, 2015|work=eurobasket2015.org|date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023063408/http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.gameID_9323-A-11-4.html|archive-date=October 23, 2015|url-status=usurped}} Over five tournament games, Wilson averaged 12.0 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.{{cite web|title=Jamar Wilson|url=http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/playerID_66027.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.teamID_281.html|work=eurobasket2015.org|access-date=September 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603142503/http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/playerID_66027.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.teamID_281.html|archive-date=June 3, 2016|url-status=usurped}}

Personal life

Wilson is the son of Bobby Livingston and Carolyn Wilson. His cousin, Dyree Wilson, was a two-time All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection at Iona College in 2000 and 2001, and his uncle, James "Pookie" Wilson, was a notable street baller in the Bronx.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140209025352/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/jcouyojnwg9q1kr4ck3onwch4 Take 40: Jamar Wilson]

Wilson and his wife, former Finland national team player Laura Wilson (née Sario) have a daughter named Fiona.[http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/taipans-jamar-wilson-leaves-cairns-with-nbl-future-in-the-air/story-fnjpuwsz-1226869546753 Taipans’ Jamar Wilson leaves Cairns with NBL future in the air] They had met earlier when the both were playing college basketball in the United States.[https://www.apu.fi/artikkelit/koripalloilija-jamar-wilson-susijengin-ja-suomalaisten-sankari Koripalloilija Jamar Wilson on Susijengin ja suomalaisten sankari], Apu, 2 September 2017[https://www.is.fi/koripallo/art-2000000985893.html ”Ammutun tyypin pää iskeytyi viemärikaivon kanteen” – Susijengin takamiehen karut muistot Bronxista], Iltasanomat, 2 September 2015 Six months after passing the language test, Wilson received his Finnish passport in June 2015, about five years after his first public intentions to gain Finnish citizenship.[http://www.basket.fi/uutiset/kaikki_uutiset/?x122462=32009203 Jamar Wilsonista Suomen kansalainen, liittyy Susijengi-vahvuuteen] {{in lang|fi}}[http://yle.fi/urheilu/takamiesvirtuoosille_suomen_kansalaisuus_-_susijengille_kivikova_jokerikortti_em-kisoihin/8042487 Takamiesvirtuoosille Suomen kansalaisuus – Susijengille kivikova jokerikortti EM-kisoihin] {{in lang|fi}}[https://www.iltalehti.fi/koripallo/a/51be9992-1b47-421c-840c-15cba0585049 Susijengin tähti oli heittämässä vapaaheittoa, kun vastustaja päästi suustaan hirveän sanan – ”Olin järkyttynyt”], Iltalehti, 14 June 2020

Career statistics

=National team=

class="wikitable" style=" text-align:center;"
Team

! Tournament

! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}}

! {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}}

! {{Tooltip|PPG|Points per game}}

! {{Tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}}

! {{Tooltip|APG|Assists per game}}

rowspan=2|FinlandEuroBasket 201516th{{center|5}}{{center|12.0}}{{center|1.6}}{{center|2.8}}
EuroBasket 201711th{{center|4}}{{center|6.3}}{{center|1.5}}{{center|3.3}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|2}}