Hoops Feature: Jamari Sibley

When Jamari Sibley arrived on campus last year as a transfer from Georgetown, the 6-8 freshman wing man had all the talent necessary to make an immediate impact. He was one of six newcomers to join a veteran-laden squad, but he quickly worked himself into the starting line-up on the way to becoming an important part of the team.

He helped the Miners post their first 20-win campaign while advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2015. UTEP also won a postseason contest for the initial occasion since 2009 after downing Western Illinois in The Basketball Classic. He had 11 points, six rebounds and a pair of assists in the contest.

“It was great (to be part of that team),” Sibley said. “I was just coming out there and competing (daily). It was thrilling, it was real thrilling. I’m excited and ready to do it again.”

That attitude of competing daily paid off, as he started in 23 of his 33 appearances while averaging 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in only 20.6 minutes per game. He ranked fourth on the team in rebounding and played his best basketball in big games, evidenced by pouring in a career-high 18 points on 7-9 shooting against I-10 rival NM State on Dec. 3, 2021. Included among that was a clutch 3-pointer from the corner to tie the tilt late, something that didn’t even phase Sibley.

“(That ability) is just in you,” Sibley said. “It’s just (about) work. I don’t even think about (the pressure), I just do it.” The culmination of his play throughout the season led to Sibley being named the 2021-22 UTEP Athletics Male Athlete of the Year at the Golden Pick Awards. “It was great being my first year here to get some recognition,” Sibley said. “I just want to build on it this year.”

Fast forward to the 2022-23 season and Sibley finds himself in a much different situation than a year ago. Instead of being a newcomer looking to find his way, head coach Joe Golding and staff are now counting on him to take on a larger role. He is the only returning starter from last year and is one of just three letter winners back, with Kevin Kalu and Ze’Rik Onyema joining him.

“I’m looking forward to being a bigger leader on the court and off the court,” Sibley said. “I just want to do everything that coach wants to be done and to be leading by example.”

When it comes to his goals, Sibley isn’t focused on his personal stats and is team oriented as well. “I just want to show that I got better,” Sibley said. “To (help) our team get to 20 wins, that’s a personal goal for me.”

When he wants a break from basketball, he picks up a paint brush to do some freestyle painting.

“It is just something I’m working on,” Sibley said. “I’m just trying to perfect it.” Sibley has also demonstrated an interest in learning to cook. “I’m learning (more each day),” Sibley said. “I’m watching videos on how to make stuff. Basic stuff, just like alfredo and pasta, nothing too big.”

But as much as he enjoys those ventures, he loves being on the basketball court. That is especially true when he gets to play in front of the passionate El Paso fan base at the Don Haskins Center.

“It’s crazy,” Sibley said. “The fans really love us and support us. We love it and we feel it every time we play.”