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 at all times brings his pet.

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

“It is like having a baby,” mentioned 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 the whole lot I would like for a pet, so I went and obtained one.”

Sharp, who averaged 8.2 factors per recreation final season, mentioned 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 mentioned his new pet is his connection to his sibling.

“I at all times wished a canine rising up however I by no means obtained one [after my brother died],” Sharp instructed ESPN.

Joker is a handful, albeit a cute one, for all the 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 recreation. When you see Sharp, nonetheless, 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 mentioned. “All I’ve to do is feed him, love him and take him out and play with him.”