Texas Tech University Athletics
Newcomer Q&A with Jamichael Stillwell
September 03, 2026 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – Through two NCAA seasons, Jamichael Stillwell has recorded 25 double-doubles, 763 points and 586 rebounds in 62 career games. His journey also includes playing his first two college seasons at two different junior colleges and becoming a father. Stillwell, who signed with the Red Raiders on August 7 and joined the program in out of season workouts two weeks ago, brings size, skill, strength, resilience and experience. We sat down with Stillwell this week to discuss his mentality and goals going into the season.
What do you bring to the team on and off the court?
"I bring leadership, physicality and personality."
What do you want to develop the most in your game?
"Shooting the 3-ball better and making plays for my teammates."
What do you want your teammates and coaches to say about you?
"He's a dog and will do whatever it takes to win. He puts the team first."
What do you think makes you unique as a person?
"How I carry myself. I'm a person who is willing to speak up and a person people look up to. I can fit in with a lot of different people. I feel like I'm cool and people like being around me. They respect me because I respect them."
Where did you develop a love for the game?
"In junior college. It teaches you a lot of things and makes you figure things out fast. You learn who's in your corner and you learn to rely on yourself while you're grinding. I learned a lot of discipline. You can't skip the work. It's always going to show. You've got to work. Nothing is going to be handed to you. There's no fancy training rooms and courts, you just have to stick to the process and believe in yourself. That's where I really fell in love with the game because you have to love it to keep going."
What's the best advise you've ever received?
"No matter the circumstances, keep going. Never give up. Always believe in yourself, even if things get rough. There have been times when I thought about giving up because things weren't going my way, having bad days or things going on back home, but I stayed motived and never gave up. I wanted to change the narrative on me."
What adversity are you most proud of overcoming to get to this point in your journey?
"Having a daughter at a young age and not really knowing how to be a father. It took some time but I feel like I'm a great father now and will do anything for her. It definitely turned me from a boy into a man. Real quick. Having her taught me about life and humbled me. Now I know there is someone who is depending on me. No ifs, ands, or buts about it – I've got to make it work for her."
What standard have you set for yourself in your work ethic?
"I'm going to go hard every day. It doesn't matter if I'm making or missing shots, I'm going to go hard. Defend and rebound – no excuses."
What do you want to embrace the most about playing at Texas Tech?
"I want to be part of something special. Make history and have fun with my teammates. I feel like this teams doesn't have any selfish people on it. We're on the same page and just want to win. Everyone is for the team."
Follow the Red Raiders: Keep up with Texas Tech men's basketball news at TexasTech.com and at the team's social media on Instagram, X and Facebook.
