Wilkinson making a big impression

You may ask how anyone 6-8 and 240 could ever be overlooked on a basketball court but we're speaking in relative terms here.

Gary Wilkinson of Salt Lake City College (SLCC) has undergone just such a transformation. Last year, he appeared out of the blue for Coach Norm Parrish. Cut after trying out for his high school team, Wilkinson never played hoops while at Bingham High despite a long history of successful AAU basketball participation in Utah. He simply tired of the sport and needed time away. However, he eventually left Bingham even before graduating.

After kicking around for some time, Wilkinson joined the LDS Church and served a two-year mission. Then, the fire within Wilkinson spontaneously rekindled and, after a seven year absence from organized basketball, he requested a tryout at Salt Lake City Community College. Coach Norm Parrish, who receives countless requests yearly from players for an opportunity, didn't expect much. Instead, Parrish got a two-year starter, a definite Division One player and a possible future professional.

Wilkinson crept up on opponents last season but word quickly spread. This happens when someone--anyone--averages 14.6 points and 7+ rebounds each time out. Economical with his shooting. Wilkinson earned his double figures scoring while shooting .613 from the floor. And, unlike most big men, he shot over 70% from the foul line. He displayed a physical style of play endearing to most coaches.

This season, there's been a giant X marked on Wilkinson's back each time out but that hasn't deterred him. His current numbers: 15.8 ppg., 7.1 rpg., .767 from the foul line and 25 assists in 12 games.

Asked how Wilkinson has improved this season, Parrish answered: "He's become more comfortable and even more agressive...even when I think he hasn't played that well I look at the stats sheet and he's filled it up."

What distinguishes Wilkinson from many other post players is that he also has offers competency in other aspects to his game. "He's a really good down low player, he catches the ball well and has a good shot but he's also effective at the high post, he can put the ball on the floor outside the paint and he can shoot the 20-footer.".

Of four-year schools, Parrish says that Wilkinson is a mid-to-high Division One player. "Nebraska, Southern Mississippi, UNLV, Utah State, Utah seem to be paying the most interest but some PAC-10 schools have also been in here for a look--even some schools that don't currently have a scholarship available like him." Parrish describes Wilkinson as "pretty mature and open-minded" about his next athletic/educational step.

Besides earning NJCAA All-American Third team honors and First Team All Region honors last season, Wilkinson also truly puts the scholar-athlete back into the term. For his work in the classroom--a 3.96 grade point average--he received Academic All-American honors and was named to the President's List and Dean's List after his freshman year.

Wilkinson married over the summer and his wife plays volleyball for SLCC. Might the next destination for the Family Wilkinson provide both a basketball and volleyball player?