Jack Wayne Sikma is an iconic American retired professional basketball center known for his trademark reverse pivot and step-back behind-the-head jumper. He became a seven-time NBA All-Star with the Seattle SuperSonics. Please stick with us and keep reading to uncover more interesting facts about Jack Sikma.
Biography (Early Life and Education)
On November 14, 1955, Grace and Clarence Sikma welcomed Jack Wayne Sikma in Kankakee, Illinois, United States. Per his date and month of birth, he was born under the Scorpio zodiac sign. Sikma holds American nationality and is of white ancestry. He lived and grew up in rural Wichert, Illinois.
He attended and graduated from St. Anne High School in St. Anne, Illinois. During high school, he was a guard for his first three years before a growth spurt caught him at 6’10″6’10” going into his senior season. Sikma was nicknamed ” the Wichert Wonder” after leading the St. Anne High School Cardinals to fourth place in the 1974 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) basketball tournament. Sikma scored 100 points in his four tournament games. After high school, Sikma enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, graduating in 1977 and majoring in accounting.
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Quick Wiki/Bio
| Name | Jack Wayne Sikma |
| Nickname | The Wichert Wonder |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 68 years old |
| Date of Birth | November 14, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Kankakee, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| High School | St. Anne High School |
| University | Illinois Wesleyan University |
| Credentials | Majoring In Accounting |
Career
College career
Sikma attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where he majored in accounting and graduated in 1977. Sikma was convinced by his good friendship with Illinois Wesleyan coach Dennie Bridges and the ability to play as a freshman right away after being extensively sought by numerous Division I institutions.
The NAIA permitted it at the time, but the NCAA did not. Jack Sikma was a three-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American at Illinois Wesleyan, averaging 15.4 rebounds and 27.0 points as a senior. Sikma was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Most Outstanding Player three years in a row.
Sikma was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame (2012) and the Small Schools Basketball Hall of Fame (2017), and he was a member of the NAIA All-Anniversary Teams for the 50th and 75th years. He was a two-time Academic All-American. In 1999, he was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-American Hall of Fame. Sikma is the all-time best scorer and rebounder at Wesleyan, averaging 21.2 points (2,272 career points) and 13.1 rebounds (1,405) per game.
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NBA Career
Jack Sikma averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in eight seasons and continuously averaged double-figures per game. After his time with the Sonics, he spent the next five seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, putting up steady numbers.
Sikma averaged 15.6 points (17,287 total) and 9.8 rebounds (10,816) in 1107 games over 14 seasons. Sikma was one of the NBA’s most accurate shooters. During the 1987–1988 season, he led the league in free-throw percentage (92.2%) while playing center; for his career, he averaged 84.9%.
Sikma made over 200 three-pointers, with 32.8% three-point accuracy. Sikma topped the league in defensive rebounds in 1981–82 and 1983–84, in addition to his accurate shooting.
Coaching
Sikma was an assistant coach with the Seattle SuperSonics from 2003 until 2007. The Houston Rockets hired him as an assistant coach in June 2007 under Coach Rick Adelman. Among his duties was teaching center Yao Ming’s “big man” playing methods.
The Minnesota Timberwolves hired him as an assistant coach on December 6, 2011, again under Adelman’s supervision. Beginning in 2017, Sikma was a coaching consultant for the Toronto Raptors, mainly working with center Jonas Valančiūnas.
Legacy
Sikma established himself as one of the first sharpshooting big men, a role that would become more common after the turn of the century. Sikma’s distinct shot and uncommon precision allowed him to play outside the paint as a center.
His trademark Sikma-1/Sikma-2 maneuvers were vital for future nimble centers with shooting touch. His Sikma techniques are still frequently taught in recreational basketball.
Net Worth
How rich is Jack Sikma? Jack Sikma is one of the richest American basketball players. As of this writing, Jack Sikma has a net worth of $5 million, with basketball as his primary income source.
He entered the business after retirement, generating some of his wealth there. In addition to his wealth, Sikman has also received several accolades and inductions. Sikman was a member of the NAIA All-Anniversary Teams for the 50th and 75th years.
Sikman was later inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame (2012) and the Small Schools Basketball Hall of Fame (2017). He was also a two-time Academic All-American. He joined the CoSIDA Academic All-American Hall of Fame in 1999.
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Salary | Under Review |
| Profession | Retired BasketballCenter |
Personal Life
Who is the soulmate of Jack Sikma? Per our data gathered, the perfect soulmate of Sikman is Shawn Strickland. The two lovebirds tied the knot in 1984 at a private ceremony in the United States. Sikman and Shawn have been blessed with two sons named Luke Sikma and Nate Sikma.
Their elder son, Luke, plays for the University of Portland Pilots and plays professionally in Greece. The younger son, Nate, played for the University of Hartford Hawks men’s basketball team.
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Shawn Strickland |
| Children | Luke Sikma and Nate Sikma |
| Height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
Social media Handles
| @dflbleekwax | |
| @jacksikma | |
| TikTok | @Jack Sikma |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jack Sikman famous for?
He is famous for his trademark reverse pivot and step-back behind-the-head jumper.
Where was Jack Sikm born?
He was born in Kankakee, Illinois, in the United States.
Who are the parents of Jack Sikma?
Sikman’s parents are Grace and Clarence Sikma.
Is Jack Sikma married?
He is married to Shawn Stickland.
What legacy did Jack Sikma leave?
Sikma established himself as one of the first sharpshooting big men.
