Seton Hill men’s basketball coach Ben Wilkins has announced the hiring of Jamaal Stokes as an assistant coach on his men’s basketball staff.
Stokes was previously Associate Head Coach at William Peace University.
Jamaal Stokes is a native of Birmingham, Alabama where he played high school basketball at the prep powerhouse Central Park Christian School. Over his high school career he amassed 88 wins and 1 loss. After the completion of his high school career he accepted a preferred walk-on spot at Alabama A&M University. He later transferred to Wiley College where he was a member of the basketball and track team.
He concluded his undergraduate academic career at Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama attaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree.
After graduating from Miles College Stokes worked two years at Virginia Commonwealth University obtaining his Master of Education in Sports Leadership degree while serving as a Graduate Assistant for the men’s basketball team. After finishing 18-15 their first season Jamaal assisted Virginia Commonwealth University in a 25-8 record in their second season. The second season saw Virginia Commonwealth University win the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship, finish with the 6th best defense in the nation (according to KenPom.com) , as well as earn an at-large bid to the Division 1 National Collegiate Athletic Association national basketball tournament.
In the fall of 2019 Stokes joined William Peace University Men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach. Upon being hired Jamaal was immediately named the team’s Defensive Coordinator charged with developing and implementing the team’s defensive philosophy. On May 9th, 2022 Jamaal was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
In his first year at William Peace University Jamaal helped lead the Pacer’s to their best season in program history. In this season the Pacer’s would finish with the most wins in program history (15), most conference wins in program history (12), longest win streak in conference history (7 games) , highest conference finish in program history ( 2nd of 15 teams), and the Pacer’s would host a first round game of the USA South Conference Tournament also a first in program history. That year Jamaal would coach 1st Team All -Conference Recipient Trey Bryant as well as 3rd Team All – Conference Recipient John Burwell. The Pacer’s would also set numerous program bests defensively as well. They finished top in the top 40 nationally in forced turnovers, total steals, and turnover percentage.
As the lead recruiter for William Peace University, Jamaal would help increase the program’s brand from a local and state level to a regional level by landing the first out of state student – athlete’s in program history. William’s Peace’s 2021 recruiting class would feature two signees from Georgia and one from Florida.
Jamaal Stokes Named Seton Hill Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach
