Who is Jack Gohlke? Oakland 3-point sharpshooter captivates in March Madness upset vs. Kentucky

Oakland's Jack Gohlke was one of the most unique players in the nation this season, having attempted 327 3-pointers and only eight 2-point shots. That's a recipe for a March Madness star...if the right pieces fall into place.

The Golden Grizzlies' run to the Horizon League title gave Gohlke the opportunity of a lifetime against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, and he took full advantage. The sharpshooter erupted for 21 points in the first half, accounting for more than half of Oakland's points in a game that quickly positioned itself as a potential upset. He finished with a game-high 32 points in Oakland's shocking 80-76 victory.

Gohlke did it his way: he only attempted 3-pointers the entire game, putting up 13 shots from beyond the arc in the first half and another seven in the second half. He connected on 10-of-20, and he added a pair of free throws when he was fouled taking a 3-point shot. At halftime, coach Greg Kampe told CBS that he simply instructed the senior to "keep shooting," and keep shooting he did.

Here's what you need to know about Gohlke and his journey to Oakland.

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Who is Jack Gohlke?

Gohlke lit up Kentucky on the national stage, but he wasn't even playing Division I basketball a year ago. That's the beauty of the NCAA Tournament, isn't it?

Gohlke spent the first five seasons of his college career at Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan, showcasing enough promise as a shooter to draw interest from Division I schools. He was the missing piece, as it turns out.

The 23-year-old was a first-team all-conference player in his final season at Hillsdale, putting himself on the Division I radar, and his Oakland bio lists Paul Pierce as his favorite player. 

While Gohlke doesn't lead the Golden Grizzlies in scoring, his shooting ability is a pivotal part of their run to the Horizon League title. Now, there's no doubt he's left an impression in front of millions of fans.

Where is Jack Gohlke from?

Gohlke now plays in Michigan, but he is from Pewaukee, Wisc. and attended Pewaukee High School in the Milwaukee suburb before going to neighboring Michigan to play Division II basketball. 

Gohlke's Wisconsin Sports Network profile listed him as an "outstanding three-point shooter" in high school and noted that he averaged 12.8 points per game as a junior.

HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5

How old is Jack Gohlke?

According to the Golden Grizzlies' official site, Gohkle was born on Dec. 3, 1999, making him 24 years old.

Jack Gohlke stats

Gohlke's raw numbers might look relatively pedestrian. He entered Thursday averaging 12.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on the season, shooting a solid 37 percent from 3-point range. That's not the full picture, of course.

97.6 percent of Gohlke's shot attempts this season have come from beyond the arc, a stunning rate even in an era of basketball with more 3-pointers than ever.

Gohlke also entered the tournament on a hot streak, if it wasn't already obvious. He averaged 17.2 points over his last 13 games leading up to the big dance, shooting an outstanding 44.6 percent from 3-point range in that span. That momentum carried into Oakland's matchup with Kentucky, clearly.

Most 3-pointers in NCAA Tournament game

Gohlke is now tied for the second-most 3-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game with 10.