Bill Wampler

Bill Wampler
Wampler in college at Wright State
Personal information
Born (1997-01-02) January 2, 1997 (age 27)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolRegis
(Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
College
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
PositionSmall forward
Career history
2020–2021Ehingen Urspring
Career highlights and awards

William Wampler (born January 2, 1997) is an American former professional basketball player who played for Ehingen Urspring of the German ProA. He played college basketball at Drake and Wright State.

Early life

Wampler attended Regis High School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He scored 48 points in a game. Wampler led Regis to the state title game.[1] He averaged 26 points and seven rebounds per game as a senior and earned all-state and conference player of the year honors. Wampler was a four-time all-conference selection and the sixth-ranked player in Wisconsin.[2] He finished his high school career with 1,966 points.[3] He committed to Drake over offers from Auburn, Creighton, and Davidson.[4]

College career

As a freshman at Drake, Wampler was worn down by the long practices, and the team finished 7–24.[4] He averaged 3.8 points per game, shooting 45 percent from behind the arc.[5] In December 2016, Wampler posted three 20-point plus games, including 27 points against Mississippi Valley State and 23 points against Iowa State. He averaged 9.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore and made 16 starts.[2] Following the season, Wampler decided to transfer to Wright State over offers from Green Bay, Minnesota, and Ball State, sitting out the following season as a redshirt.[4]

In his Wright State debut against Western Carolina, he posted 26 points.[6] As a junior, Wampler averaged 14.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He was named to the Second Team All-Horizon League.[7] On November 25, 2019, Wampler scored a season-high 27 points in a 72–57 win against Weber State in the Gulf Coast Showcase.[8] Wampler averaged 15.6 and 4.5 rebounds per game as a senior, shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc. He was named to the Second Team All-Horizon League for the second consecutive season as well as the Academic Team. Wampler finished his collegiate career with 1,414 points.[6]

Professional career

On September 3, 2020, Wampler signed his first professional contract with Ehingen Urspring of the German ProA.[9] He left the team and returned to the United States for personal reasons.[10]

National team career

Wampler competed for the United States at the FISU America Games in Brazil in 2018.[11]

Personal life

Wampler is the son of Jim and Michelle Wampler and has five siblings. He has spoken publicly about his struggles with depression. Wampler has several tattoos, including one on his wrist that says "The sun will rise and we will try again," and a rendering of a setting in Upper Michigan with a lake, waterfall and evergreen trees on his arm. He is a Christian and took part in Athletes-in-Action trip to Brazil in July 2018.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Harris, Doug (November 5, 2018). "Wright State's Wampler opens up about his struggle with depression: 'It was just day by day, getting through'". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Boyle, John (April 18, 2017). "College Basketball: Wright State picks up transfer from Drake". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. ^ "Regis Boys Basketball Coach Bill Uelmen retires". WEAU. June 28, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Archdeacon, Tom (June 15, 2018). "Archdeacon: 'Billy Buckets' eager to make name for himself at Wright State". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  5. ^ "2017-18 Wright State Men's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). Wright State Raiders. October 29, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Baptist, William (August 31, 2020). "Former WSU Basketball Player Bill Wampler Signs Professionally". Wright State Guardian. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Radcliffe, JR; Hogg, Curt (November 8, 2019). "Check out a full list of NCAA Division I men's basketball players from Wisconsin high schools". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  8. ^ "Wampler scores 27 to lift Wright St. past Weber St. 72–57". ESPN. Associated Press. November 25, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Chelidze, Dimitri (September 3, 2020). "Ehingen signs Wampler just out of college". Eurobasket. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  10. ^ "BILLY WAMPLER ISN´T ONLY A SNIPER BUT ALSO VERY INVOLVED IN MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS". German Hoops. January 29, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  11. ^ Flaten, Spencer (August 31, 2020). "Eau Claire native Wampler signs with German professional basketball team". Leader-Telegram. Retrieved November 13, 2021.