Salt Lake big man makes his choice

Most Division One basketball players have a similar story. They starred at their high school, got a scholarship offer from a Division One coach and went on to play out their careers. Not Salt Lake City Community College star Gary Wilkinson.

"I didn't play high school ball at all," said the 6-foot-8 Wilkinson. "I got cut my sophomore year and just didn't have any desire to play."

Which makes it all the more amazing that Wilkinson committed to Utah State and will be a Division One player. After averaging 14 points and 7 boards as a freshman, Wilkinson put up 18.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in just 27 minutes a game as a sophomore. That has to have him saying, "I told you so," doesn't it?

"If I was that coach, I would have cut me too," Wilkinson said. "I didn't have the right attitude, I didn't put forth the effort and sacrifice that it took. Then I went on a mission with the church, I learned over time how to work. I really decided to put forth the effort that it took."

Of course, it also took a coach willing to take a chance. SLCC coach Norm Parrish did just that.

"Not too many coaches would give a kid who didn't play high school basketball the opportunity like coach Parrish did for me at Salt Lake," Wilkinson said. "He thought I was willing to work, he thought I could do it. He wasn't playing favorites. Whoever was willing to step up and get it done, he said, you have a chance to play. He allowed me to have that opportunity."

Wilkinson gives Parrish much credit for making him into a Division One player. His future coach is a big reason he'll continue his career as a Utah State Aggie.

"Coach (Stew) Morrill is great with big men," Wilkinson said. "They have played in the post-season every year for the past, seven times in nine years. They have had a great run, they have a great team returning. I feel like I could have an opportunity to contribute and have a good run."

USU's location didn't hurt in its effort to land Wilkinson, a Utah native. But this is not a case of the hometown boy just choosing to stay home.

"To be honest, it wasn't a determining factor," he said. "It's a plus, it's a bonus, but if there was another school my wife and myself would provide the opportunity that Utah State was going to provide as far as playing in the postseason, their winning percentage is unbelievable up there. I don't know too many players that compete that don't love to win. They have a great program and I think we have an opportunity to make a good run."

Wilkinson chose Utah State over the likes of Nebraska, UNLV, Utah