Senior Spotlight: Secaucus’ Jamling Lama ready for another offensive leap

As a sophomore, Jamling Lama was already a dependable scorer and a key part of a Secaucus team that finished with its first winning record in five seasons. But that wasn’t enough for Lama, – also a multi-year varsity player on the baseball and soccer teams -who thrives on constantly working and improving in whatever sport he’s playing. He started waking up at 4:45 almost every summer morning with his older brother Pema, now 26, who played high school hoops for St. Peter’s Prep and Secaucus. Together, they worked on rounding out Jamling’s offensive game, and the results on the court his junior season were undeniable.

Lama’s scoring output jumped dramatically from 12.4 points per game to 20.3. He reached double-digit scoring in all 26 games he played in, and scored 20-plus in 14 games, including three with 30-plus. And the two-time All-NJIC Liberty Division First Team honoree improved his all-around game as well, raising his rebounding numbers from 1.8 per game to 5.3, as well as tallying 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.

Thanks in large part to his huge strides on the court, the Patriots won 19 games for a second straight season, including a 54-50 victory over Dwight-Englewood to end the school’s five-year reign as Liberty Division champions. In that contest, Lama poured in a game-high 22 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter to hold off a late charge. He also added eight boards and five assists.

And even though the Patriots suffered a tough loss in the preliminary round of the Hudson County Tournament, Lama managed to make personal history by recording his 1,000th career point with his friends, parents, middle brother Pema, and oldest brother Sonam – now 32 and a former St. Peter’s Prep player – all in attendance.

How long have you been playing basketball?

Since I was 5. My older brother Sonam, he was the one who got me into it when I was younger. He played too, he actually played overseas in Mongolia and Thailand. And my other older brother, Penam, if I had a basketball question he’s always been the one to assist me and teach me the game.

Do you have a memory that stands out across all the years you’ve been playing?

Obviously, rec basketball was a fun time with all my friends growing up. But the most memorable for me was definitely last year scoring my 1,000th career point.

Do you have a favorite NBA player? Team?

The Warriors of course, but this is no bandwagon situation. I started getting into the NBA five or six years ago and Steph Curry has always been my favorite player. He has the range to shoot from everywhere, and he has that confidence even if he’s undersized. His game speaks for itself.

You also play soccer and baseball for Secaucus. How did you get into those and what positions do you play?

I’ve always played three sports, I always need to be competing in a season, working on my skills wherever I can.

Even before basketball, I was kicking a ball around age three. My father loves soccer, and my two brothers played as well. They also played all three sports, as well as some football. Soccer was always one of my favorite sports. I play forward and love playing with my teammates and just getting up and down the field. Baseball was the last sport I started playing. I play the outfield, but growing up I was a lefty shortstop, which is unusual

Do you have a favorite among the three sports you play?

Definitely basketball. I believe it’s the game you can have the most impact, you can bring your own specific assets to the game. Soccer is a team game, you have to pass it around, have a good connection with teammates, which you also need for basketball, of course. Baseball, hitting, running, standing in the field, you do that on your own. n basketball, you can be a flashy player, you can be a fundamental player. There are so many ways to play basketball, and that makes it that much more fun.

If you had to pick one other sport to be magically great at, what would it be?

Ice hockey. I recently started getting into hockey and the Devils. Going to the games has been so fun, seeing how fast-paced it is, the teamwork, communication. It’s a very fun sport to watch – plus, all the hitting doesn’t hurt.

Who inspires you?

Definitely my parents. They came from a different country, Nepal, with almost nothing and my older brother when he was young. It’s inspirational to come from almost nothing and still have a big impact in this world, even if only on your family. It doesn’t matter how you come up, it’s how you finish and how you take those hardships and build off that.

Do you have a favorite musical artist?

Some of my favorites are Drake, J. Cole, definitely Post Malone, I like his music a lot. Khalid for sure. And I’d say Pop Smoke. But personally, I like to listen to a little of everything: country, some slow songs, rap of course, and others. You can throw me anything, and in a week I’ll know all the lyrics.

Favorite TV show you’re watching right now?

Over quarantine, I started watching a lot of shows on Netflix, like “Outer Banks,” “All American” and “Money Heist.”

Favorite dish or food?

I’m simple, bacon cheeseburger, you can never go wrong. And pizza also.

hobbies that would surprise your teammates?

I really love sneakers – Jordans, Adidas. I really like collecting lots of sneakers and always having a fresh style.

If you could pick one superpower, what would you choose?

Stopping time. I believe time is the most valuable thing we have. We only have 24 hours in a day, and we’re sleeping for almost a third of it. So, definitely stopping time and valuing life a lot more.

What do you attribute to the basketball team’s success last two seasons?

I believe our chemistry is more tight-knit. Last year, it was a group that had been playing basketball together every year since we were younger, so we had a very good connection. And first and foremost, all really good players. I think to have a good team in general, you need good communication and good relationships, and through that, work together to fix any problems and hopefully win each game.

How did it feel to end Dwight-Englewood’s divisional reign and win the NJIC Liberty last year?

It felt great. They were always the powerhouse in our league, a well-coached, well-rounded team. But we’re a gritty team, and we wanted to block them from winning it again and believed it was our year.

What do you remember from the shot you made last season for your 1,000th point?

That night is one I definitely won’t forget. I remember it wasn’t my best outing, only 11 points, got hot in the fourth quarter, but had only maybe three or four points before that. Even though in the back of my head I knew I was close, I was focused on just winning the game – it was our first county tournament game, against Bayonne.

As for the shot, I remember I got the pass from a teammate by the wing right by the stands. A great pass, bounce pass I believe, and I put it up for three, a little fadeaway, and it went in. Game was kind of close, we were maybe five or six points down, but coach called timeout so they could announce it. I knew I had the 1,000th, but it was in the back of my head – I just wanted to win that game.

What do you attribute to your large jump in scoring last season?

Definitely the work with my brother, my teammates and coaches. Over that summer, prioritized off-the-dribble jumpers, getting to the basket, one-dribble shots. I believe my three-point shot is one of my best attributes. I wanted to work on not just being a shooter, but shooting more off the dribble, and catch and shooting. My brother Pema and I’d wake up early mornings four days a week to get up shots in the rec center. We’d get up around 4:45, get to the gym by 5:00, shoot for an hour, go back home, shower and get ready for school. Definitely that extra time put into the gym showed on the court the following season.

If you had to prepare a scouting report for yourself, what would it say?

I’d say don’t leave that man, make sure he touches the ball as little as possible. Give him hell, don’t let him touch the ball, and don’t let him get a shot off. If he drives, just be on him, because I believe slacking off on him even a little bit isn’t good for you.

After three years as a varsity player, are you excited to be a senior leader in your final season?

Last year being named one of three captains was a big honor. This year, with just me and a couple of other seniors, it’s our team now. Now we have to really work hard and work together to help the younger guys. We have to make sure when we leave, they’re ready to be those role models. I want to be there for my teammates.

What his coach has to say:

“During the course of his four years, he has been a tremendous student-athlete on and off the court. I’ve had the pleasure to coach many great players, but Jamling will always rank up towards the top,” Secaucus head coach Tom Curry said. “His work ethic is unmatched and he is extremely coachable. Jamling will be one of the toughest players we have ever had to replace. I just want it to be known how amazing he is and how much he has meant to the program.”