ARLINGTON – The UT Arlington men's basketball team added another key piece as 6-foot-9 forward Shemar Wilson has signed with the Mavericks.
 
Wilson has spent the past two seasons at Phoenix College. This past year's campaign was canceled due to COVID-19; however, during the 2019-20 season Wilson nearly averaged a double-double for the entire year with 12.1 points and 9.8 rebounds over the course of 31 games.
 
The 215-pound Wilson ranked 3rd in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) in rebounds per game as he was named to both the All-ACCAC Third Team and All-Region Division II Second Team in 2019-20 as a freshman.
 
"We are very excited to announce the signing of Shemar," said new UTA head men's basketball coach Greg Young. "Shemar is a very exciting and talented young man who had a great freshman year at Phoenix College. This past season was cut short, but he was one of the top rebounders in the NJCAA during his freshman year. Shemar competes and plays extremely hard at 6-foot-9. He can really run the floor and is very active on both ends. Shemar is a terrific young man and student-athlete, and we can't wait to get him on campus with us."
 
In a testament to Young's comments about Wilson's rebounding prowess, he tied for 20th in the nation in boards per game among junior college players in 2019-20.
 
Along with his 12.1 points and 9.8 rebounds, Wilson shot a gaudy 64.1 percent from the floor as a freshman, which was the 5th-best percentage in the country. He scored a season-best 29 points on 12-14 shooting against Bismarck State on Dec. 29, and also pulled down 13 rebounds – one of his 13 double-doubles on the season, including five-straight to end the year.
 
Wilson secured 14 or more rebounds seven times in 2019-20, and grabbed a season-high 18 caroms on Dec. 4 against Tohono O'odham.
 
"I can't wait to get to work and help put UTA where it belongs – competing for championships," stated Wilson.
 
A native of Avondale, Ariz., Wilson graduated from Tolleson Union High School outside Phoenix in 2019. He averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior in 2018-19, earning All-Region First Team honors. He also landed on the All-Region First Team as a junior in 2017-18. Wilson was a three-sport talent at Tolleson Union as he also lettered in football and track and field.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the men's basketball program on Twitter (@UTAMavsMBB), Instagram (@UTAMavsMBB) and Facebook (/UTAMavsMBB).