Jack Sikma

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19 Mar 2024

Jack Sikma

Jack Wayne Sikma, born on November 14, 1955, is celebrated as an American former professional basketball center renowned for his remarkable career in the NBA. Sikma's journey in professional basketball began when he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the eighth overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sikma earned recognition as a seven-time NBA All-Star, showcasing his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. One of the defining moments of his career came in 1979 when he clinched an NBA championship with the Seattle SuperSonics, cementing his legacy as a champion.

Sikma's on-court prowess was characterized by his trademark moves, notably the "Sikma move," which involved a reverse pivot and a step back behind-the-head jumper. This signature move, coupled with his distinctive blond hair, set him apart on the court and left a lasting impression on basketball enthusiasts.
Over his thirteen-year NBA career, Sikma demonstrated exceptional accuracy as a shooting center, a rarity in his position during his era. His innovative style of play not only contributed to his personal success but also left a profound impact on the game, influencing centers at all levels of basketball.
Despite his retirement from professional basketball, Sikma's contributions to the sport were further acknowledged when he was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. With a career total of 17,287 points scored in the NBA, Sikma's achievements stand as a testament to his skill, dedication, and lasting influence on the game of basketball.

Jack Wayne Sikma was born to Grace and Clarence Sikma in Kankakee, Illinois. He spent his formative years in rural Wichert, Illinois, before attending St. Anne High School in St. Anne, Illinois. During his early years of high school, Sikma played as a guard. However, a significant growth spurt transformed him into a towering presence, reaching a height of 6 feet 10 inches by his senior season.
Nicknamed "the Wichert Wonder," Sikma made a significant impact on the basketball court, leading the St. Anne High School Cardinals to an impressive fourth-place finish in the 1974 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class A boys basketball tournament. Throughout the tournament, Sikma showcased his scoring prowess, tallying an impressive 100 points across the four games.
Sikma's exceptional performance during his high school years laid the foundation for his future success in basketball, setting the stage for his remarkable journey in the sport.

Jack Sikma continued his basketball career at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where he played at the collegiate level. He graduated in 1977 with a major in accounting. Despite being heavily recruited by numerous Division I schools, Sikma was drawn to Illinois Wesleyan due to his close relationship with coach Dennie Bridges and the opportunity to play immediately as a freshman, which was allowed by the NAIA but not by the NCAA at the time. Additionally, Sikma appreciated that Illinois Wesleyan had several Division I schools on their schedule, providing ample opportunities for competition against top-tier teams.
During his time at Illinois Wesleyan, Sikma established himself as a standout player, earning recognition as a three-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American. In his senior year, he averaged an impressive 27.0 points and 15.4 rebounds per game. Sikma was also honored as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Most Outstanding Player for three consecutive years.

His outstanding collegiate career led to numerous accolades and honors. Sikma was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Small Schools Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. He was also selected as a member of the NAIA 50th & 75th All-Anniversary Teams. Additionally, Sikma distinguished himself academically, earning recognition as a two-time Academic All-American and being inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-American Hall of Fame in 1999.
To this day, Sikma holds the distinction of being Illinois Wesleyan's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 21.2 points (2,272 career points) and 13.1 rebounds (1,405 career rebounds). Under his leadership, the Titans achieved significant success, winning College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Conference Championships in each of his last three seasons and advancing to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Tournament.

Jack Sikma's NBA career began when he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the eighth overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft. Despite coming from a relatively small alma mater, Sikma quickly made his mark in the league.
As a rookie in the 1977-1978 season, Sikma demonstrated his potential by averaging 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He showcased his scoring ability on March 24, 1978, when he scored a rookie season-high 28 points in a game against the Indiana Pacers. Sikma's performance earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team.
In the following season, 1978-1979, Sikma continued to excel, averaging 15.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, earning his first All-Star selection. He played a pivotal role in the playoffs, averaging a double-double of 14.8 points and 11.7 rebounds, including a standout performance in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Sikma's efforts helped lead the SuperSonics to victory in the NBA Finals, where they defeated the Washington Bullets to win the championship.

Despite the team's success, the SuperSonics were unable to defend their title in the 1979-1980 season, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. However, Sikma continued to shine individually, scoring a career-high 39 points in a game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 13, 1981.
In 1984, Sikma signed a five-year contract extension with the SuperSonics, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the franchise. He continued to display All-Star caliber play, earning selections to seven consecutive All-Star Games from 1979 to 1985. Over his nine seasons and 715 games with the SuperSonics, Sikma averaged an impressive double-double of 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, along with contributing 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. He maintained solid shooting percentages, shooting 47% from the field and 83% from the free-throw line.