Bowling Green State University men’s basketball is preparing for the upcoming season with a roster that includes 10 new players, a result of recent changes in college athletics and the impact of the transfer portal. Head coach Todd Simon has made significant adjustments to the team for the third consecutive year.
Among the newcomers is Jason Kimbrough Jr., a junior guard standing six feet tall. Kimbrough previously played at Phoenix College and Highland Community College. He has been involved with basketball from an early age, influenced by his father who played Division I basketball at Western Michigan.
“I think it all stemmed through [my dad], for real, you know, him playing basketball. He always put a ball in my hand at a super young age. So, always mimicking him, always seeing basketball on the TV,” Kimbrough said. “I got a toy hoop for like a birthday, I couldn’t even like shoot a basketball. So, stuff like that really got me into it.”
Assistant coach Bob Gallagher discovered Kimbrough during a junior college event in Illinois after being contacted by Marcus Hill’s mother about another player.
“I was actually at a junior college (JUCO) event in Illinois, and Marcus Hill’s mom actually reached out to me and asked me to see Marcus Hill’s cousin play. So, I went to see him play, and I was like, ‘Who’s this point guard?’ He wasn’t on my list, and I was just so impressed with him and built a relationship and found out that his dad played at Western Michigan, was a really good player in the Mid-American Conference (MAC),” Gallagher said. “We built a relationship right away, just communicating before he got here, and then just being in the gym with him all the time. But he’s got an unbelievable personality, and he’s a guy that’s easy to root for.”
Kimbrough faced challenges while playing at the junior college level but earned NJCAA Division 1 All-America Honorable Mention honors last season.
“JUCO, it’s tough. Everybody’s in there to get out essentially. So, being in that spot where I’m having to fight for a spot, I’m playing a ton of games in a small time. Like my last JUCO, I didn’t even have a trainer,” Kimbrough said. “So, it’s kind of crazy, kind of that mental space of being able to fight through injury. Being able to tell yourself you don’t need this rest, you don’t need this help, we got to go. I feel like, you know, just being in that spot trying to work my way out and trying to show that I’m different, show that I was able to play Division I really kept me grounded and kept me working.”
He identifies speed as his main strength on the court.
“My favorite superhero is the Flash,” Kimbrough said. “I like to say I feel like I got some style to him, real quick zip up to where you might just see a flash of Orange. I like to play quick and I like to shoot from deep.”
Kimbrough also noted his ambidextrous abilities.
“Especially you see me play, I shoot right-handed and everything, but I’m actually left-handed. I was born left-handed, so I still write with my left hand, but my dad was born right-handed, so he taught me how to play right-handed,” Kimbrough said. “So, I still do a lot of stuff left-handed, like I might try to even catch first left-handed, stuff like that.”
Off the court he is described as energetic and positive.
“Very, very energetic and very enthusiastic. He’s never mad, never upset, never down. Every day he comes in with just a positive attitude and it’s infectious,” Kimbrough said. “He’s a great leader. He inspires other guys. He gets guys in the right position but he’s always got a smile on his face and he just brings a ton of energy.”
His parents’ athletic backgrounds have shaped his approach as an athlete.
“They’re super tough for me. They were both athletes. My mom was a gymnast and my dad played basketball,” Kimbrough said.”So,I feel like,you know,them pushing on me,kinda knowing that life what it takes,to really be,a Division 1 athlete,really be an athlete chasing,a goal.I feel like they really motivate me,and are always there for when i need them.Then another one would be my little brother.My little brother plays (basketball)and he looks up,to me for so much inspiration,and he kinda keeps me at,a spot where i gotta keep working because i know his eyes are on me.I know he’s seeing me,and what it takes,to really get there.So,i think those few people kinda keep me going.”
Kimbrough aims not only for team success but also hopes for individual recognition this season.
“I think personally,l ike i know Javontae (Campbell)just did it,but i’m trying,to beat,the steals record,”Kimbrough said.”Pull up,to,the games.That’s all i can say,is pull up,to,the games.It’s going,to be,a show.”
