When recruiting a potential student-athlete, a coach will evaluate and try to project what the incoming player can achieve if he or she puts in the time and effort. In the case of Jay Gladish, his production and impact far exceeded even the boldest of predictions, leading to an incredible five-year Timberwolves career that will forever be mentioned on University of Northern British Columbia campus. From undersized freshman to a league scoring champion, Men’s basketball star Jay Gladish is an obvious inductee in the UNBC Timberwolves Wall of Honour inaugural class.

Born in Langley and raised in Chilliwack, Gladish had a successful high school career at Chilliwack Secondary School, but was lightly recruited in his Grade 12 season. UNBC head coach Zane Robison saw something in the five-foot-ten guard, particularly in his attitude and approach to the defensive end of the court, and found a spot for Gladish on the Timberwolves roster heading into the 2002-2003 BCCAA season.

“Jay was not heavily recruited out of high school, but he was so competitive,” said Robison. “He really took pride in his defensive ability, and was quite often tasked with guarding the opposition’s best player.”

That defensive prowess helped Gladish get on the court in his first year, playing alongside ball-dominant teammates like Gene Wolff, Phil Nadrazsky, and Al Nadrazsky. His individual statistics were modest, averaging 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game, but Gladish was named Timberwolves Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the season.

Gladish recognized his role would grow in Robison’s program, and returned for the 2003-2004 campaign with an increased confidence in his offensive game. Still playing his tireless on-ball defense, he added a dangerous jump shot to his repertoire, and increased his scoring output by nearly ten points per game, from 3.1 to 12.3, good for top-25 in the conference. He also took on a greater role as a distributor, pacing the TWolves with 4.1 assists per game, and adding 2.4 boards per contest. Gladish was named TWolves Best Defensive Player for his efforts.

“Jay’s competitive nature was infectious, and his clutch performances made him a fan favourite,” said Robison. “He really mastered a pull-up jumper that was incredibly difficult to stop, plus he had this toughness that allowed him to finish at the rim against much larger players.”

After sitting out the 2004-2005 season, Gladish returned with even more tools in his toolbox in 2005-2006. Many of the Timberwolves veterans had moved on, and he quickly established himself as UNBC’s most dangerous on-ball threat. However, the shooting guard’s productivity put the entire conference on notice. Gladish led the BCCAA in scoring, pouring in 359 points for 19.9 points per game. He added 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, and was named a BCCAA First Team All-Star for his efforts. He also earned Timberwolves Best Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Player.

Current UNBC head coach Todd Jordan was a teammate of Gladish’s from 2002 to 2004, and was on the Timberwolves coaching staff in 2005-2006 when Gladish exploded offensively. According to Jordan, before the Timberwolves ever played in the beautiful confines of the world-class Northern Sport Centre, Gladish had the commitment to elevate the program by improving every practice and every game.

“Jay was an incredibly crafty and gifted scorer during his time in a UNBC jersey. To score 20 points per game in a season is extremely difficult, especially for a smaller guard like he was. He was an excellent shooter and a fiery competitor. He really made a major impact on our program, and you can still feel that today.”

In 2006-2007, Gladish again proved to be one of the most devastating scorers in British Columbia, equalling his output from a season before. For the second consecutive season, he averaged 19.9 points per game, finishing second in the BCCAA in scoring, while adding 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He was deemed a league All-Star for the second time, as well as repeating as Timberwolves Most Outstanding Player.

“Jay was a teammate I always looked up to,” said Paul Burkholder, who played alongside Gladish for two seasons. “Prior to joining UNBC, I enjoyed watching his prolific scoring ability, and his ‘lead by example’ mindset. He could score in a multitude of ways; in transition, in isolation, or within our system. All while being the focus of every opponent’s defense. He had unparalleled confidence, and was always ready to let it fly.”

As an encore, Gladish put an appropriate bow on a historic five-year run in green and gold. The veteran continued to light up the boxscore, with averages of 14.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. And, fittingly, his commitment to protecting UNBC’s hoop didn’t waver, as he was named Best Defensive Player for the third time in his TWolf career.

Gladish’s numbers speak for themselves. Over the course of a career that began in the early years of Timberwolves basketball, the diminutive shooter from the Fraser Valley positioned himself in the Timberwolves record books where he remains to this day. He concluded his time at UNBC as the program’s all-time leader in points with 1178, and assists with 230. He also sat sixth in rebounds with 228, and if the statistics were kept, he would have surely set marks in three-point shooting.

“Jay could flat-out score, and there wasn’t an open shot he wouldn’t take. And he could make them,” said UNBC assistant coach Dale Dergousoff. “I think Jay actually played in the wrong era. He could really shoot the ball from long-range, and would have been even more deadly now. He made the most of his talents with is hard work, and he carried those teams for years.”

Gladish graduated UNBC with a Bachelor of Commerce, and now lives in Burnaby with his wife Nicole and children Luca and Elena. Following Gladish’s senior year, the Timberwolves continued to ascend to new heights as a program. The influence of their long-time leader was still evident, on and off the court, according to Dennis Stark, who was a freshman when Gladish was in his final season.

“Jay was unassuming but carried himself with poise and quiet confidence. On the court, he was special; smooth, creative, athletic, and passionate. Most importantly, he never, ever backed down, and the Prince George fans loved him for it,” said Stark. “When our teams were practicing at a local high school and playing at the college, the team didn’t have many five-year vets. Jay was an example and inspiration what veteran leaders could bring to a team. He was a leader and a builder for our program, and he deserves this so much.”

• 2002 - 2003 
• 2003 - 2004 
• 2005 - 2006 
• 2006 - 2007 
• 2007 - 2008

Biography

Career Stats

Points: 1178
Points Per Game: 13.9
Rebounds: 228
Rebounds Per Game: 2.7
Assists: 230
Assists Per Game: 2.7
Blocks: 
Steals: 
3-Pointers: 
Free-Throws: 

Awards

2021 - Timberwolves Wall of Honour
2007 - 2008: Best Defensive Player
2006 - 2007: BCCAA Second Team All-Star
2006 - 2007: Most Outstanding Player
2005 - 2006: BCCAA First Team All-Star
2005 - 2006: Most Outstanding Player
2005 - 2006: Best Defensive Player
2003 - 2004: Best Defensive Player
2002 - 2003: Rookie of the Year