Jack Sikma
Encyclopedia
Jack Wayne Sikma is a retired American
NBA basketball
center
. He was known for his distinctive curly, blonde hair in his playing days.
Sikma played at Illinois Wesleyan University
, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi
Fraternity
. He was draft
ed eighth overall in 1977 by the Seattle SuperSonics
, Sikma was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
. Among his notable career achievements are his seven All-Star Game selections (from 1979 to 1985) and his championship
ring won with the 1978–1979 Sonics, where Sikma teamed with talented players such as Dennis Johnson
, Gus Williams and an aging Paul Silas
. Sikma always averaged double figures in points-per-game throughout his career, and after his stint with the Sonics, he maintained consistent numbers while playing with the Milwaukee Bucks
in his final five seasons. For his career, Sikma scored 17,287 points and grabbed 10,816 rebounds.
Sikma was one of the most accurate shooting centers in NBA history. He holds the rare distinction of leading the league in free-throw percentage (92.2%) while playing the center position during the 1987–88 season; he averaged 84.9% in free-throw shooting for his career. Sikma also made over 200 three-pointers during his career with a 32.8% three-point accuracy.
Along with his accurate shooting, Sikma led the league in defensive rebounds in both 1981–82 and 1983–84 while playing for Seattle.
Sikma later served as an assistant coach with the SuperSonics.
Sikma's son, Luke, played for the University of Portland
Pilots
, then signed with UB La Palma
in LEB Oro
. His other son, Nate, is currently a freshman for the University of Hartford
Hawks
men's basketball team.
as an assistant coach to head coach, Rick Adelman
. Among his duties were to tutor center, Yao Ming
, in "big man" playing strategies.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
NBA basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
. He was known for his distinctive curly, blonde hair in his playing days.
Sikma played at Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate university located in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856...
, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon...
Fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
. He was draft
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
ed eighth overall in 1977 by the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, Sikma was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...
. Among his notable career achievements are his seven All-Star Game selections (from 1979 to 1985) and his championship
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
ring won with the 1978–1979 Sonics, where Sikma teamed with talented players such as Dennis Johnson
Dennis Johnson
Dennis Wayne Johnson nicknamed "DJ", was an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics and coach of the Los Angeles Clippers...
, Gus Williams and an aging Paul Silas
Paul Silas
Paul Theron Silas is a retired American professional basketball player and current head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He attended Creighton University, where he set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in three seasons and averaged 20.6 rebounds per game in 1963...
. Sikma always averaged double figures in points-per-game throughout his career, and after his stint with the Sonics, he maintained consistent numbers while playing with the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
in his final five seasons. For his career, Sikma scored 17,287 points and grabbed 10,816 rebounds.
Sikma was one of the most accurate shooting centers in NBA history. He holds the rare distinction of leading the league in free-throw percentage (92.2%) while playing the center position during the 1987–88 season; he averaged 84.9% in free-throw shooting for his career. Sikma also made over 200 three-pointers during his career with a 32.8% three-point accuracy.
Along with his accurate shooting, Sikma led the league in defensive rebounds in both 1981–82 and 1983–84 while playing for Seattle.
Sikma later served as an assistant coach with the SuperSonics.
Sikma's son, Luke, played for the University of Portland
University of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and is the sister school of the University of Notre Dame. Founded in 1901, UP has a student body of about 3,600 students...
Pilots
Portland Pilots men's basketball
The Portland Pilots men's basketball team represents the University of Portland, located in Portland, Oregon, United States, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. They play their home games at the Chiles Center and are members of the West Coast Conference. Their current head coach is Eric...
, then signed with UB La Palma
UB La Palma
Unión Baloncesto La Palma is a professional basketball team based in Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands and plays in the Multiusos de Santa Cruz de La Palma, in LEB Oro league. The team collaborates with CB Gran Canaria as farm team.-Season by season:...
in LEB Oro
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Liga Española de Baloncesto is the second league of the Spanish basketball league system behind the ACB. It is run by the FEB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories and they are sponsored by Adecco. The names of the two leagues are Adecco Oro and Adecco Plata.The LEB league...
. His other son, Nate, is currently a freshman for the University of Hartford
University of Hartford
The University of Hartford is a private, independent, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The degree programs at the University of Hartford hold the highest levels of accreditation available in the US, including the Engineering Accreditation Commission of...
Hawks
Hartford Hawks
The Hartford Hawks are the athletic teams of the University of Hartford. The school sponsors 18 varsity sports , all of which compete in the Division I America East Conference. The Hawks' colors are scarlet and white.-Teams:...
men's basketball team.
Post-playing career
In June 2007 Sikma was hired by the Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
as an assistant coach to head coach, Rick Adelman
Rick Adelman
Richard Leonard "Rick" Adelman is an American former basketball professional player and current basketball coach. He is the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. Confirmation of the hiring came from the Timberwolves on September 13, 2011...
. Among his duties were to tutor center, Yao Ming
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
, in "big man" playing strategies.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game
External links
- Career stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
- Coach profile @ nba.com