Making a name in Sacramento State sports is not a task easily accomplished.

But Hornets senior Jameel Pugh has done it.

And he did it by doing one thing: attacking the rim with bad intentions.

“Coach (Jerome) Jenkins drills it in my head, ‘go to the rim with bad intentions,'” Pugh said. “Meaning, when you go to the rim, go hard, break everyone’s arms on the rim and break the rim.”

At 6-feet 5-inches and 225 pounds, there aren’t many defenders who can stop Pugh from finishing.

The former Slam magazine, “Best Dunker in the World” has another reason for people to know his name.

Pugh now has included a jump shot into his game. Or as he calls it, “The best kept secret” or “New edition.” Nicknames and slogans are all part of his charm.This offseason was the first in Pugh’s Sac State career that he was healthy and able to work on parts of his game. He is completely injury-free headed into the season, crediting the training staff on nursing his knee back to health.

Jenkins said Pugh has shown the best shot early in the first weeks of practice and that Pugh is the key player on this year’s squad.

“There is not going to be another year for me,” Pugh said. “But I don’t want to add too much pressure. I just want to have fun and enjoy my senior year.”