Indiana's Lamar Wilkerson donates NIL money to previous school Sam Houston State

Lamar Wilkerson gives back to his previous school this off-season
Dec 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Sam Houston State Bearkats guard Lamar Wilkerson (3) shoots against Pittsburgh Panthers forward Zack Austin (55) during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dec 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Sam Houston State Bearkats guard Lamar Wilkerson (3) shoots against Pittsburgh Panthers forward Zack Austin (55) during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Indiana transfer guard, Lamar Wilkerson has given "six figures" of his name, image and likeness money to the Sam Houston State program, he told Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster onThe Field of 68 earlier today.

“I did it out of love, man,” Wilkerson said. “I did it out of love for Coach [Chris] Mudge, for just Sam Houston. I’d been there for three years, so it was home for me. I got comfortable there, I built a family with a lot of people, a lot of donors and everything.

“So I just gave back because I felt like I want to see their program strive. I want to keeping seeing them get better over time. I was [willing] to help.”

A two-time All-Conference USA first team selection at Sam Houston State, Wilkerson started in 32 games in 2024-25 averaging 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.9 minutes per game. Wilkerson also added 36 steals, the most on the conference, while shooting 48% from the field.

As a junior in 2023-24, Wilkerson averaged 13.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steal in 29.7 minutes per game in 31 starts.

Lamar Wilkerson was rated as a 4-star transfer by 247Sports and was one of the highest-ranked names in the transfer portal. Wilkerson had narrowed his choices of schools down to Auburn, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Indiana, before selecting the Hoosiers.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard from Ashdown, Arkansas is more than just a high-level transfer said Indiana head coach Darian DeVries he's a force, an engine, a culture shock.

He has been the best player all off-season for Indiana and on their Puerto Rico trip he was the leader in scoring and steals.

"“Lamar can shoot as many times as he wants. I have ultimate faith in Lamar making shots,”"
IU head coach Darian DeVries

"Hoosier basketball will be back," Wilkerson said.

Indiana men’s and women’s basketball will kickoff the 2025-26 season with a new interactive fan event, Hoosier Hoops on Kirkwood, on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 8-10 p.m. ET, announced in a release earlier today.

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