User:Arkel Lamar

Arkel Lamar (born December 18, 1996, ) is an American basketball player for the UMBC Retrievers of the America East Conference. Currently a Undergraduate student at the university level Prior to college, Lamar attended St. Thomas More Prep School in Oakdale, Connecticut, where he was a three-star recruit. At UMBC, he earned all-conference honors and rookie of the year honors in his rookie season. He most notably helped lead the Retrievers to a first-round victory over Virginia at the 2018 NCAA Tournament, the first time a 16-seed defeated a 1-seed in men’s tournament history.

Early life
Lamar was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Nicole Peeler. In addition, Lamar's brother Michael played at Kolbe Cathedral High School and worked for collegiate basketball programs at The University of Miami, Howard University and Temple University. Arkel was mainly raised by his mother.

Lamar also played for Connecticut Basketball Club and BABC EYBL – MA, competing. Lamar was rated a three-star recruit and chose to play for UMBC in college despite drawing interest from St. John’s, who gave him an offer, as well as UCONN and Providence College.

College career
Accolades: Selected to the 2016-17 America East All-Rookie Team… Named the team’s Most Improved Player in his initial campaign. Record Book Material: His 2016-16 total of 14 blocked shots ranked fifth amongst UMBC’s all-time freshmen. 2016-17: Scored 11 points and added four caroms in his colleigiate debut vs. Hood... Led the Retrievers with eight caroms at The Shore on Nov. 13... Posted season highs in points (15) in win over Kennesaw and tied season best with eight rebounds... NAMED AMERICA EAST ROOKIE OF THE WEEK (Nov. 21)... Scored in double figures for third time and added seven caroms and season-best three rejections and two treys to 10-point effort at Va. Tech on Dec. 30... Averaged 5.3 rebounds per game from Dec. 10-Jan. 5… Tabbed to start his first collegiate game at Vermont on Jan. 13... Played huge role in win over UNH on Jan. 28, hitting season-best four treys and finishing with 14 points in 22 minutes... Scored all 10 points.in second half in Feb. 22 win over Stony Brook and recorded all 11 points after halftime in the regular season finale at UNH on Feb. 25...Sparked UMBC rally in second half in AE Playoff setback at UNH, scoring 9 pts. and knotting a season-high with four steals… Averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in four CIT games, including 10 points in games vs. Fairfield and TAMCC.