Jamarion Sharp buys pet with NIL cash

Bowling Inexperienced, Kentucky — At any time when Jamarion Sharp walks into the health club at Western Kentucky, Division I basketball’s tallest participant all the time brings his pet.

For the 7-foot-5 middle and final yr’s prime shot-blocker (4.6 BPG), his canine Joker — a combined breed he bought along with his title, picture and likeness money two weeks in the past — is a greatest pal and a accountability. Sharp stated he hopes the pet will assist him mature.

“It is like having a baby,” stated Sharp, who’s taking Joker to the vet for the primary time on Saturday. “He is a quiet canine, truly. I assumed, ‘I’ve the cash proper now and I desire a pet.’ I’ve all the pieces I would like for a pet, so I went and acquired one.”

Sharp, who averaged 8.2 factors per sport final season, stated he named his pet Joker as a result of his brother Trevon, who died in 2010 of sickle cell illness, additionally had a canine named Joker. When Sharp was younger, his mom would not enable him to have canine as a result of they reminded her of his brother.

However Sharp stated his new pet is his connection to his sibling.

“I all the time needed a canine rising up however I by no means acquired one [after my brother died],” Sharp advised ESPN.

Joker is a handful, albeit a cute one, for the whole Hilltoppers males’s basketball program. He attends each apply, the place trainers and others all assist take care of him whereas Sharp works on his sport. In case you see Sharp, nevertheless, additionally, you will see Joker. They’re inseparable.

“It is a good feeling as a result of I’ve somebody that is going to be loyal to me on a regular basis, for the remainder of my life, for the remainder of his life,” Sharp stated. “All I’ve to do is feed him, love him and take him out and play with him.”