His senior year at Greater Atlanta Christian High School, Virginia freshman forward Isaiah Wilkins averaged a cool 18.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game. The stepson of NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Wilkins once blocked 15 shots in a single high school game.
Many Division I basketball players dominate in high school, so Wilkins’ success at Greater Atlanta Christian may not be surprising. But not many superstar high school athletes — in hoops and every other sport — begin their collegiate careers as Wilkins did Friday night in Virginia’s 79-51 season-opening win at James Madison.
His totals — eight points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 19 minutes — might not jump off the page, but they reflected the diversity of his stat line as a high school senior. Wilkins’ defensive contributions were particularly impressive, considering he played less than half the game.
Wilkins has said his mid-range jumper is the nicest part of his game, and he certainly showed it off against the Dukes, as driving teammates looked to set him up with catch-and-shoots in the 15-to-18 foot range. He knocked down two such shots among his three field goals.
The freshman forward showed he can do more than deliver from midrange: His other field goal — a tip slam off of a miss by senior forward Darion Atkins — shows that he’s got ups. Coach Tony Bennett said Wilkins’ agility aided the Cavaliers in slowing James Madison freshman forward Hari Hall, a stretch four who gave Virginia trouble by knocking down four 3-pointers in seven attempts.
After the game, junior guards Malcolm Brogdon and Justin Anderson praised Wilkins’ basketball IQ and steadiness, respectively.
“Isaiah’s not a guy that gets out of his character,” Brogdon said. “He knows where his spots are on the floor, he gets to them, [and] if he’s not in that spot, he’s not going to shoot it — he’s going to make the extra pass. And I think his unselfishness is really what makes him a key contributor on the team.”
Last year, point guard London Perrantes played big minutes as a reserve in Virginia’s first two games of the season before moving into the starting lineup against Davidson. The current sophomore ended up averaging 29.9 minutes per game, second on the team behind Brogdon. Anderson, for his part, started and played 27 minutes in his collegiate debut two years ago.
Bennett is not opposed to playing freshmen if he thinks they can help his team win. In fact, he said as much at the team’s October media day, noting that both returners and newcomers would earn their playing time rather than “walk into spots” in the rotation.
Freshman guard Marial Shayok scored six points, grabbed three boards and blocked two shots in 21 minutes against James Madison. If Wilkins and Shayok continue to produce, we might see a whole lot of them this year.
Freshman guard B.J. Stith had two steals and a rebound in his eight minutes of court time, which came at the end of regulation with the game well in hand for the Cavaliers. Anderson said he was struck by the composure of Wilkins, Shayok and Stith.
“They were tremendous,” Anderson said. “Marial, B.J., Isaiah, those guys were so poised. I remember my first game I got so sped up, and I didn’t see that in them. None of those guys got sped up, they played at their own pace and I think a lot of credit of that goes to us needing them in practice.”
Wilkins and Shayok helped Virginia offset the one-game suspensions of Perrantes and junior forward Evan Nolte for violating team rules this summer. Redshirt freshman guard Devon Hall, who started in Perrantes’ place, also contributed to the win with five steals and five points in 27 minutes of play.
Consistently solid play from Wilkins, Shayok, Hall and Stith could make a significant difference for Virginia this year. Though the Cavaliers return seven rotation players from last season’s Sweet 16 team, Bennett would likely agree you can never have too much depth. Injuries, matchup issues and uninspired play all prompt coaches to turn to bench players for a spark.
The stronger the Cavaliers’ role players are, the less Bennett will have to lean on his starters throughout the regular season. The fewer minutes Brogdon, Anderson and Perrantes have to play for Virginia to win, the more they’ll have left in the tank come March, when Bennett may need his starters for longer stretches.
The freshman contributions to Friday’s victory were highly encouraging, yet Virginia’s season has just begun. Wilkins, Shayok, Hall and Stith will likely have ups and downs this year — especially in the gauntlet of ACC play.
Wilkins said he wouldn’t mind repeating Friday’s performance.
“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a while,” he said.
Read More
Virginia baseball drops two of three in home series with Georgia Tech
By Ryan Weiner | 21 hours agoThe Cavaliers dropped a crucial series, and will need to rebound quickly heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Virginia track and field delivers strong performances at Virginia Challenge
By Tanmayi Patil | YesterdayThe Cavaliers displayed impressive performances across the board over the weekend.
No. 4 men’s lacrosse falls in “heroic” game against No. 7 Syracuse after fourth-quarter charge
By Cole Huff | YesterdayWhile Virginia failed to win, the game provided an excellent feel for what the NCAA Tournament will be like, preparing the team for May.
