Jamaal Wilkes (born Jackson Keith Wilkes on May 2, 1953 in Berkeley, California) is a retired American basketball player who played the small forward position and won four NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Wilkes was also a key player in the run of NCAA championships accumulated during the John Wooden era of UCLA basketball. Upon entering the NBA in 1974, Wilkes converted to Islam and legally changed his nam...
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Jamaal Wilkes (born Jackson Keith Wilkes on May 2, 1953 in Berkeley, California) is a retired American basketball player who played the small forward position and won four NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Wilkes was also a key player in the run of NCAA championships accumulated during the John Wooden era of UCLA basketball. Upon entering the NBA in 1974, Wilkes converted to Islam and legally changed his name to Jamaal Abdul-Lateef, but retained his surname throughout his NBA career. He has since reverted to usage of Jamaal Keith Wilkes in his personal and professional life.
One of the smoothest, steadiest and most productive forwards to ever play in the NBA (he possessed a deadly accurate jump shot from the corner that Hall of Fame Laker announcer Chick Hearn dubbed the "20 foot layup") Jamaal "Smooth as Silk" Wilkes won championships at the scholastic, collegiate and professional levels.
Wilkes was an All-America Prep player at Santa Barbara...
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