Bio

Jamaal Wise is in his fifth season on the coaching staff with the Montgomery College Raptors men's basketball program. Coach Wise, a Montgomery County native was the 2000 State of Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year while attending Paint Branch High School. The three-year starter at Paint Branch High School recorded over 1,000pts and over 800 rebounds during his tenure. During his years Paint Branch would win the 2000 4a State Championship. Additionally, he was named to the Washington Post All-Met first team his senior year. “I’ve had the great privilege to coach Jamaal during his amazing run in High School, his tenacity to win has translated from the court to the sidelines,” says Coach Byrd. 

After graduating from Paint Branch, he would go on to play for legendary coach Jim Baron from 2001-2006 at the University of Rhode Island.  While at Rhode Island his teams reached the NIT Tournament in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, which were both 20+ win seasons his team would go as far as the Elite 8 of the tournament held at the Madison Square Garden.  One of his best games as a Ram came against then #2 ranked St. Joseph’s University on national TV with Dick Vitale commentating in which he posted a double-double.  Coach Wise finished his career at URI with over 700 points and nearly 500 rebounds.

In 2005, Coach Wise earned his bachelor degree from Rhode Island in communication studies.  Upon graduation, in 4 years he received a fifth year due to a medical redshirt during the 04-05 season.  Coach Wise went on to play professional basketball for four years overseas in various countries.  “The experiences he had as a player has been instrumental in our program's success; additionally, his ability to develop players has helped our players tremendously,” says Coach Byrd.

Coach Wise got into coaching basketball and teaching high school math shortly after his professional playing career.  In 2017, Wise earned his master’s degree in education curriculum & instruction with a focus in secondary mathematics from Concordia University-Portland.