Rebounding machine Jamichael Stillwell is leaving UWM, entering transfer portal
For the second consecutive year, UW-Milwaukee's men's basketball team is losing its best player to the transfer portal.
Panthers coach Bart Lundy confirmed on Tuesday that Jamichael Stillwell will be leaving following his one and only year in the program.
"I mean, really, we've known this was going to happen for a couple months," Lundy said. "A guy that gets the recognition that he got, especially around that December period when he was national player of the week, these agents just come out of the woodwork.
"It's just the way of the world."
Stillwell, a 6-foot-8 junior forward, burst onto the scene after transferring in from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, averaging 13.1 points and 10.7 rebounds in 31 games en route to being named first team all-Horizon League as well as the circuit's newcomer of the year.
Stillwell set numerous program rebounding records, including most total rebounds (333), most offensive rebounds (12), rebounding average for a single season and most double-doubles (16).
His 10.7 average was good for sixth in all of Division I.
"He was awesome," Lundy said. "And, he made great grades. He was a pleasure to coach, great guy, good teammate – all of it."
Stillwell released a statement on Twitter announcing his departure.
"I want to first start off by thanking Milwaukee and our fantastic coaching staff for believing in me and making me a better man on and off the court," he wrote. "I wouldn't be the man I am today if they didn't give me a chance. I want to thank the city of Milwaukee and our fans for treating me like family and supporting me heavy. I know Milwaukee has a lot of love for me and I have a lot of love for Milwaukee. I will forever have a space in my heart for UWM.
"After a talk with my family and agent, I will be entering my name in the transfer portal. #ForeverAPanther"
It was late last March when BJ Freeman announced his intention to leave UWM. He ultimately landed at Arizona State, receiving a large NIL payment in the process, but was recently dismissed from the team.
Such is the way of the world now in major college sports, where players are being offered in some cases huge sums of money to jump from school to school.
The problem for a mid-major like UWM is the program doesn't have near the funding to be able to keep any stars it might help develop, although two years ago Freeman did forego an opportunity to leave.
The expectation is Stillwell, an Atlanta native, will now pull in a handsome sum for his services from a school in a Power-5 conference.
"Jamichael was always up front with me," said Lundy. "We spent the last two months making sure that he didn't get distracted. His effort didn't go anywhere. And he focused on this team, not some other team, that make-believe team (he'll transfer to). He gave us everything all the way to the end.
"And in these situations, that's all you can ask for."
The Panthers have already signed a five-man recruiting class for the 2025-26 season, and now will be on the hunt for the next big talent to try and fill Stillwell's shoes.
Lundy said as of now there are still discussions that need to be had with other potential returnees to the program, most notably leading scorer Themus Fulks and big man Faizon Fields, with those occurring in the coming days and weeks.
The transfer portal officially opens on March 24.