Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Juco transfer Jonathan Wiley adds both style and substance to Saluki Basketball
01/13/2017 | 1:02:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Ask Saluki junior forward Jonathan Wiley who is the best dressed player on the team, and he'll tell you it's "definitely" himself, although senior forward Sean O'Brien "might be a close second."
Wiley is a man of high fashion, and his clothing style reflects his basketball abilities.
"I kinda have an East Coast feel to it," said the 6-foot-6 native of Houston, Texas. "I get a lot of my stuff from guys like Ian Connor and A$AP Rocky. In the summer, I do have a little West Coast feel – I like VANS, Thrasher, different skateboard franchises."
Just as Wiley's fashion ranges across the country, his basketball skill set has given the Salukis flexibility to play him at both guard and forward. He played every position but point guard last seson at Panola College in Texas, averaging 12.1 points and 8.3 rebounds for a Ponies team that finished 24-9.
At SIU, Wiley has primarily backed up Sean O'Brien at the four spot this season. Head coach Barry Hinson said in his preseason press conference that Wiley was part of "the best collection of bigs we've had since I've been here in five years."
He made modest contributions during the first two months of the season, scoring 11 points in the non-conference season. His productivity jumped when conference play began. He scored a bucket at Bradley, and then had a break-out nine-point performance against Drake. During a recent three-game stretch when Armon Fletcher was out with a foot injury, Wiley averaged 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. After O'Brien fouled out at Missouri State, he played valuable minutes down the stretch in the team's second road win of the season.
"Our team just needs me to help win a couple extra games," Wiley said. "Whether it's rebounding the ball, playing defense, or just finding the open guy."
After playing his entire high school and college career in his home state of Texas, Wiley said the basketball legacy of Southern Illinois convinced him to leave the Lone Star state.
"I felt like this school had a lot of basketball history, and that interested me," he said. "During the recruiting process, I felt like it was a good spot as far as mid-major schools go. They had a good year the previous year. I loved coach Hinson and coach (Brad) Autry – he was the one who recruited me."
Wiley, who buys and sells shirts as a side hobby, is enjoying his newest look – Saluki maroon and white – and looking forward to playing an even larger role on the team as his career at SIU unfolds.
Wiley is a man of high fashion, and his clothing style reflects his basketball abilities.
"I kinda have an East Coast feel to it," said the 6-foot-6 native of Houston, Texas. "I get a lot of my stuff from guys like Ian Connor and A$AP Rocky. In the summer, I do have a little West Coast feel – I like VANS, Thrasher, different skateboard franchises."
Just as Wiley's fashion ranges across the country, his basketball skill set has given the Salukis flexibility to play him at both guard and forward. He played every position but point guard last seson at Panola College in Texas, averaging 12.1 points and 8.3 rebounds for a Ponies team that finished 24-9.
At SIU, Wiley has primarily backed up Sean O'Brien at the four spot this season. Head coach Barry Hinson said in his preseason press conference that Wiley was part of "the best collection of bigs we've had since I've been here in five years."
He made modest contributions during the first two months of the season, scoring 11 points in the non-conference season. His productivity jumped when conference play began. He scored a bucket at Bradley, and then had a break-out nine-point performance against Drake. During a recent three-game stretch when Armon Fletcher was out with a foot injury, Wiley averaged 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. After O'Brien fouled out at Missouri State, he played valuable minutes down the stretch in the team's second road win of the season.
"Our team just needs me to help win a couple extra games," Wiley said. "Whether it's rebounding the ball, playing defense, or just finding the open guy."
After playing his entire high school and college career in his home state of Texas, Wiley said the basketball legacy of Southern Illinois convinced him to leave the Lone Star state.
"I felt like this school had a lot of basketball history, and that interested me," he said. "During the recruiting process, I felt like it was a good spot as far as mid-major schools go. They had a good year the previous year. I loved coach Hinson and coach (Brad) Autry – he was the one who recruited me."
Wiley, who buys and sells shirts as a side hobby, is enjoying his newest look – Saluki maroon and white – and looking forward to playing an even larger role on the team as his career at SIU unfolds.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball4.30.26 | Saluki Baseball Weekend Preview- Indiana State
Thursday, April 30
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - Murray State Game 3 (Audio Only)
Monday, April 27
4.23.26 | Saluki Baseball Weekend Preview - Murray State
Thursday, April 23
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - at Bradley Game Three (Audio Only)
Sunday, April 19