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Jameel Warney continues to make history for Stony Brook University. In 2016, the star power forward led the Seawolves to its first-ever NCAA Tournament.
Two years later, he’s become the school’s first player to sign an NBA contract.
Warney, 24, spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Maverick NBA G League-affiliate, the Texas Legends, before signing a 10-day contract with the big-league club Sunday.
“It’s been a fun journey that basketball has taken me on, and to see the joy on social media of people celebrating really shows me I have a great support system,” said Warney. “This is only the first step in what I want to accomplish so I have to keep on working and getting better.”
Although he went undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, the Plainfield, N.J., native had a decorated career at Stony Brook. As a four-year player, Warney’s abilities as a scorer and defender helped him become SBU’s all-time leader in points (2,132), rebounds (1,275), and blocks (276).
And his skills have translated to the professional level as well.
Before being brought up by the Mavericks, the 6-8, 260-pounder averaged 18.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in 84 games for the Legends.
This past summer, Warney also played for Team U.S.A. in the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup, where he helped lead the team to a gold medal while earning himself the tournament’s MVP award.
In his NBA debut, Warney posted five points and four rebounds in eight minutes in Sunday night’s game against the Houston Rockets.
The Stony Brook alum will be on the roster for the Mavs the next four games, which includes games here in New York against the Knicks (Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.) and the Nets (Saturday at 7:30 p.m.).
Top: Jameel Warney posting up on a University of Kentucky player in the NCAA Tournament.
(Photo courtesy of Stony Brook’s athletic communications.)
