Ex-Bruin Wilkes Roots for Cal Now

He played at Pauley Pavilion for UCLA. He played for the Lakers. In the minds of most fans, he is an L.A. basketball figure to his core even if he did once play for the Golden State Warriors.

Yet when Jamaal Wilkes was asked after Saturday’s UCLA-Cal game at Pauley Pavilion which team he had been rooting for, he didn’t hesitate: “Cal.”

That might have something to do with two brothers on the Golden Bear roster named Wilkes.

One of Jamaal’s sons, Omar, is a sophomore starting guard for Cal. The other, Jordan, is a freshman center. Omar played 29 minutes Saturday, scored 12 points, including two three-point baskets, and had three assists.

Jordan played only three minutes, but the senior Wilkes had a big smile when talking about each of them.

“I’ll always have a soft spot for UCLA,” said Jamaal, who played for national-championship Bruin teams in 1972 and 1973, when his name was Keith Wilkes. “But I’m rooting for the Golden Bears now.”

Besides, he has roots in Berkeley. Jamaal was born there. But it was a short relationship; he left when he was nine months old.

Jamaal doesn’t regret that his sons chose not to be Bruins.

“They needed to get out from my shadow,” he said, “and have an identity of their own.”

Omar said he was constantly reminded by Saturday’s crowd of his father’s college background.

“I got an earful,” he said, “but that just made me play harder. I figure my Pops helped build this place and I know about all the wins he got here. I felt we could squeeze one out of here.”

And no, neither son has copied Jamaal’s distinctive slingshot shooting style, the ball coming from behind his right ear.

“No, I didn’t coach them on that,” said Jamaal, whose nickname was “Silk” because he had such a smooth shot. “I let them figure it out for themselves.”

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