Rising Stars: The New Wave of BGSU Men’s Basketball | Episode 1: Jason Kimbrough Jr.

Due to the current landscape of college athletics, where the transfer portal has taken over, BGSU men's basketball head coach Todd Simon has been forced to add 10 new players to the roster for the third straight year.

One of the new faces that will step onto the Bill Frack Court at the Stroh Center this season is Jason Kimbrough Jr., a 6-foot junior guard, who previously played at Phoenix College and Highland Community College.

Kimbrough has loved basketball since he was a kid, growing up around the game with his dad playing at the Division I level for 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."

Kimbrough was recruited to Bowling Green by assistant coach Bob Gallagher, who stumbled upon him through former Falcon Marcus Hill.

"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."

The Arizona native had a hard-fought journey through the JUCO levels, earning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D1 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.

Kimbrough believes his greatest skill on the court is his speed.

"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."

An interesting aspect of his on-court game is that Kimbrough is ambidextrous.

"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, Kimbrough is full of energy and always 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."

Kimbrough's values were instilled into him by his parents, and he continues to be motivated by his younger brother.

"They're super tough for me. They were both athletes. My mom was a gymnast, and my dad played basketball. So, I feel like, you know, them pushing on me, kind of knowing that life, what it takes to really be a Division I athlete, really be an athlete chasing a goal. I feel like they really motivate me and are always there for when I need them," Kimbrough said. "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 kind of keeps me at a spot where I got to 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 kind of keep me going."

Although his primary goal is to win a MAC Championship, Kimbrough also has his eyes on a personal accolade.

"I think personally, like 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."

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