Giants sign import JB Pillard
The Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants have filled their first import spot for season 2017 with the signing of American recruit JB Pillard.
Pillard, a 201cm (6’7”) forward from Seattle, Washington joins the Giants after an extended college career and then plying his trade around the US and Australia in various leagues.
A self confessed late starter to the game, Pillard didn’t start playing until he was 16 years old, after a 5 inch growth spurt, late in his high school career.
Playing 36 games over his final two varsity seasons he averaged 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds playing for Juanita High School in Kirkland, Washington.
“I wasn't very good in high school, very athletic but I lacked many fundamentals.” Pillard said "It wasn't until I got to my junior college and they redshirt me that I started to grow as a player. I spent every waking moment in the gym and really was intentional...I set high goals and went and made them happen."
The move into junior college basketball and the eventual move into NCAA Divison II basketball saw Pillard emerge as a leader for his teams.
At Northwest Nazarene University he lead the team in both scoring and rebounding with 15.2 points and 6.4 rebounds and then at Central Washington University he lead the team in rebounds and was second in scoring with 14.9 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Across both these seasons he was recognised by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference where he received GNAC Honourable Mentions for both seasons.
Since finishing college in 2014, Pillard has kept active on the basketball court.
He’s currently in his second season with the Seattle Mountaineers ABA team where he has progressed into a starting role and is currently averaging 15.8 point and 9.8 rebounds.
He’s also played in the last couple of Seattle Summer Pro-Am tournaments which sees a wealth of NBA talent take to the court along with other basketballers from the region.
“I've been blessed so much to come from Seattle, where we have so much basketball talent. Ive been playing against and working out with NBA guys since high school. Jamal Crawford, Brandon Roy, Nate Robinson, Zach LaVine, & Isaiah Thomas just to name a few."
He’s also had the opportunity to look overseas to further his basketball career, playing as a professional import in Australia earlier this year in the Darwin Basketball Association.
"Darwin and playing in the DBA was a solid first step in this process on playing professional (basketball). I fell in love with “Down Under”. Not only did I have a great experience with basketball, I also did with the way of life and all of the beauties your country has to offer."
Funnily enough, playing in Darwin isn’t the only Australian connection Pillard has. His former Central Washington college teammate Kevin Davis has starred in the State Basketball League the last two seasons for the Joondalup Wolves, and he also played a season with Cockburn Cougars centre Marcus Goode in his first year with the Seattle Mountaineers.
On discussions about his friendship with Davis, Pillard was exuberant. “I freaking love KD (Kevin Davis) and I'm excited to be able to play in the same league as him. He keeps telling me that I'll kill it there and just reminding me how hot it’s gonna be there in Kalgoorlie."
"We play basketball here every Monday and Wednesday and I’ve been letting him know I’m gonna keep on dunking on him.” he said jokingly.
As part of his growth in the game, Pillard is relishing his opportunity with the Giants next season, and the chance to show the Goldfields and State Basketball League what he has to offer.
"I very much so am looking forward to crossing this bridge and jumping up a level. Just to gauge myself as to where I am and what I need to do to get where I want to go."
“I play as a point-forward that can most definitely put the ball in the hoop, but I really enjoy when everybody is involved and a team is kicking on all cylinders. I love to get people involved.” "As you will soon see, I bring an extreme passion on the court with me. I bring a hardhat everyday… theres no such thing as half-assed in my book."
“I'm so very excited to get to Kalgoorlie and embrace the culture, people, and basketball. I’m looking forward to meeting all the fans and helping grow basketball not only in Kalgoorlie, but Australia as a whole."
Pillard should arrive in Kalgoorlie in early to mid February to join the Giants in their pre-season campaign before the SBL Blitz tournament in early March.
JB Pillard
Date Of Birth: 25th November 1988 (28 years old)
From: Seattle, Washington (USA)
Height: 201cm (6’7″)
Position: Forward
Giants Playing Number: To Be Confirmed
Recruited from: Seattle Mountaineers (American Basketball Association)
Basketball Career:
2008-09 Olympic Community College (NWAC - Northwest Athletic Conference - Junior College)
2009-11 Whatcom Community College (NWAC - Northwest Athletic Conference - Junior College)
2011-12 Northwest Nazarene University (GNAC - Great Northwest Athletic Conference - NCAA DII)
2012-2014 Central Washington University (GNAC - Great Northwest Athletic Conference - NCAA DII)
2014-15 Whatcom Community College (Assistant Coaching Role) (NWAC - Northwest Athletic Conference - Junior College)
2015 Seattle Summer Pro-Am (USA)
2015-2016 Seattle Mountaineers (ABA - American Basketball Association - USA)
2016 Darwin Uni Rebels (DBA - Darwin Basketball Association - Australia)
2016 Seattle Summer Pro-Am (USA)
2016 Seattle Mountaineers (ABA - American Basketball Association - USA)
Related Media
High School Basketball Profile
http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jb-pillard/apWf5_TsEeKZ5AAmVebBJg/gendersport/basketball-stats.htm
Olympic Community College
Whatcomm Community College
Northwest Nazarene University
http://files.streamlinehosting.net/gnacsports/media/Stats/mbasketball/2011-12/NNU.HTM#team.tem
Central Washington University
http://www.wildcatsports.com/custompages/statistics/mbasketball/2013-14/teamcume.htm
http://wildcatsports.com/roster.aspx?path=&rp_id=1515
http://wildcatsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1858
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8erZ5RoZ7bE
Seattle Mountaineers
Seattle Summer Pro-Am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctR53FuUPDU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG9nm0MfSOI
Darwin Basketball Association
http://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/after-bidding-key-basketball-player-tyler-jefferson-farewell-uni-rebels-have-landed-a-star-by-securing-scoring-machine-jb-pillard-iii/news-story/d730c3929e3899afa8970a8c6001ef92
Article courtesy of Goldfields Giants
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