UWM's Stillwell's 'motor' propels him to top of nation's rebound leaderboard
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- In his first year in Milwaukee, forward Jamichael Stillwell is making quite an impact for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Panthers.
"I feel like my motor is natural," said Stillwell. "I feel like I was born with it."
At 6'8", the junior is not afraid of mixing it up inside, especially when it comes to cleaning the glass.
"I got a big heart so I feel like I can take on a giant," said Stillwell.
Stillwell comes to the Panthers from Butler Community College. His play on the court stuck out for Milwaukee Panthers Head Coach Bart Lundy.
"If you rebound at one level, you'll rebound at any level. That's what makes him exceptional, his ability to rebound, said Lundy. "He's tough, he can guard any position on the floor but he's a special special rebounder."
Jamichael Stillwell
But even players can exceed expectations. In the 17 games Stillwell has played, he's put up gaudy numbers. In an 88-67 win over Green Bay on Dec. 11, Stillwell grabbed a program record 19 rebounds while adding 24 points. That performance was during a week Stillwell averaged 20.5 points and 18.5 rebounds to earn Lute Olson and Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors.
Stillwell averages a double-double and his 11 double-doubles are a program record, and his 201 total rebounds are the most for any Panther since DeAndre Abram finished with 215 rebounds in 2018-19. Opponents haven't been able to stop him yet.
"He's so quick to the ball, he's got such a good instinct and then he hits first," said Lundy. "You can put anything you want on that scouting report he's a hard guy to keep off the glass."
You look at the greatest rebounders throughout the history of the game, most of them weren't 7-footers. They're guys that are 6'8" - 6'9" that really have a huge motor, that are strong and have that instinct and he's got all of that. All in one package," added Lundy.
Stillwell says growing up all he could do was rebound and defend. Now he is top five in the nation in double-doubles, total rebounds, and leads the nation in rebounds per game, 11.8, entering games on Friday night, Jan. 17.
"That's my challenge, stay in first place through the whole season. For me to put myself ahead, I got to get a rebound. I'm going to get every rebound," said Stillwell.
"As a coach you can go your whole career and not have somebody be a statistical leader in the nation. It's pretty special," said Lundy. "I hope he gets it and I want him to hunt it."
Panther's fans can call him Mr. Double-Double, J-Mike, or the nickname he earned in junior college, Mr. Stand on Business.
"Maybe the second time I ever talked to him, he made a point to tell me he was Mr. Stand on Business," laughed Lundy. "And for the most part I will say he is Mr. Stand on business."
"Handling the business on the court, the other team, that's the business so got to handle that business," said Stillwell.
Among the personal goals and conference honors he hopes to achieve, the one piece of business at the top of his list is helping the Panthers return to the NCAA Tournament.
Milwaukee last made the NCAA Tournament in 2013-14, losing to Villanova in the first round.