John Wilkins???

[wizard1]

What has happened to John Wilkins? I see that he starts for ISU but his numbers are'nt very good, thus far.

JW was hyped when we were recruiting him as one of the top five recruits in the USA and he was being touted as a sure fire all MVC and perhaps All American.

I know he hasn't played in a couple of years but this doesn't really explain why he isn't even close to living up to the hype on him a few years ago.

Does anyone know the answer?

[TheGuy]

He can't create his own shot yet and everyone around him is struggling as well which doesn't help.

He surprisingly plays better defense than most thought though.

[ER3]

What has happened to John Wilkins? I see that he starts for ISU but his numbers are'nt very good, thus far.

JW was hyped when we were recruiting him as one of the top five recruits in the USA and he was being touted as a sure fire all MVC and perhaps All American.

top 5 recruit in the country?? All American candidate?? Umm, no...he wasn't. Not by any reputable, objective source anyway.

[Da Coach]

You'll get to see him a week from today when ISU plays at Bradley. He is very talented and skilled, but he does have some deficiencies in his game.
I have posted my opinion elsewhere. I think he doesn't work as hard as the other kids on the floor, doesn't play very good defense (which limits his playing time), doesn't pass well for a guard (and he insists on playing guard), and takes some bad shots.
But he is essentially a freshman and hasn't played for the last couple years, so he'll get better.

[TheGuy]

You'll get to see him a week from today when ISU plays at Bradley. He is very talented and skilled, but he does have some deficiencies in his game.
I have posted my opinion elsewhere. I think he doesn't work as hard as the other kids on the floor, doesn't play very good defense (which limits his playing time), doesn't pass well, and takes some bad shots.
But he is essentially a freshman and hasn't played for the last couple years, so he'll get better.

actually quite the opposite. I think he plays better defense than he was projected too and has been probably the only player on ISU that takes good shots most of the time (usually only when uncontested).

I think his major issues right now are moving without the ball and I can't really point my finger on how to say it, but he just looks awkward moving up and down the court almost like he still growing into his body.

[srw]

Methinks wizard might be pointing out ridiculous hyping of players that overvalued their skills...

Maybe I am wrong though

[45otseoj]

actually quite the opposite. I think he plays better defense than he was projected too and has been probably the only player on ISU that takes good shots most of the time (usually only when uncontested).

I think his major issues right now are moving without the ball and I can't really point my finger on how to say it, but he just looks awkward moving up and down the court almost like he still growing into his body.

This.

If you have seen Anthony Davis (Chicago-->Kentucky) he reminds me of that. Definitely not the same skill set (Davis is a much better player), but they have the same awkwardness about them.

He has some very good skills tho. His length is good which sometimes makes up for his lack of agility, but he needs a good off-season in the weigth room learning to use his body more efficiently.

[mrcoachdude]

This.

If you have seen Anthony Davis (Chicago-->Kentucky) he reminds me of that. Definitely not the same skill set (Davis is a much better player), but they have the same awkwardness about them.

He has some very good skills tho. His length is good which sometimes makes up for his lack of agility, but he needs a good off-season in the weigth room learning to use his body more efficiently.

Have seen him a few times this season...shot looks fine, but he is not putting that many up. Defense looked good to me as well. I think its more of the team struggling, and he is part of the team...I agree that he needs to get in the weight room...

[BU RICK]

Wilkins originally picked Bradley and then chose Illinois State. I believe one of the reasons he stated he was going to ISU was he would get to play guard there. I see they listed 3 starting guards and he was listed as a g...so here's a question...both Bradley and ISU are win-less in the Valley, would both our records be different today if he had come here and was listed as a forward? It can't be based solely on stats, there would have to have been other factors that would have come into play?

[lefty]

Wilkins originally picked Bradley and then chose Illinois State. I believe one of the reasons he stated he was going to ISU was he would get to play guard there. I see they listed 3 starting guards and he was listed as a g...so here's a question...both Bradley and ISU are win-less in the Valley, would both our records be different today if he had come here and was listed as a forward? It can't be based solely on stats, there would have to have been other factors that would have come into play?

I thought if you weren't a post player for us then you were automatically a guard

[TheGuy]

Wilkins originally picked Bradley and then chose Illinois State. I believe one of the reasons he stated he was going to ISU was he would get to play guard there. I see they listed 3 starting guards and he was listed as a g...so here's a question...both Bradley and ISU are win-less in the Valley, would both our records be different today if he had come here and was listed as a forward? It can't be based solely on stats, there would have to have been other factors that would have come into play?

A common misconception. I think at some point, possibly on this board it was pointed out that Wilkins was promised he could be a guard at ISU and it wasn't something that Les would go for. I think the plan with Wilkins in the offseason as someone pointed out is to get some muscle on him and have him work on getting better in the post. This way he can be a truly versatile player being able to stretch defenses with his shooting ability from the arch.

He has the size and body to possibly turn into a Luol Deng type of player.

[45otseoj]

Wilkins originally picked Bradley and then chose Illinois State. I believe one of the reasons he stated he was going to ISU was he would get to play guard there. I see they listed 3 starting guards and he was listed as a g...so here's a question...both Bradley and ISU are win-less in the Valley, would both our records be different today if he had come here and was listed as a forward? It can't be based solely on stats, there would have to have been other factors that would have come into play?

If Wilkins was at BU he would be doing the same thing as he is now. He's not a true guard. He rarely guards a guard, and he spends more time around the rim rebounding and defending then you would see out of a normal guard.

I will say that at BU his stats may be improved because your guards have a much better ability to create and penetrate. He only shoots when open (usually from 3), and ISU's lack of a decent PG doesn't present him with many open looks.

[SaintLouBrave22]

I thought if you weren't a post player for us then you were automatically a guard

Wait, we have post players....


Where?!

[amettrick]

I attended the ISU/Evansville game over the weekend and was not impressed with him at all. His shot looked ok, but he didn't get many looks and showed no ability to create his own shot. He didn't look like he was comfortable handling the ball at all. His defense was pretty suspect, as he left his man wide open at least a couple of times that I can recall. He also looked totally lost on offense most of the time. He just lingered around the 3-point line most of the time and didn't move much at all without the ball. He did show a nack for rebounding though, but he should with his size and athleticism.

[dogsrus]

I attended the ISU/Evansville game over the weekend and was not impressed with him at all. His shot looked ok, but he didn't get many looks and showed no ability to create his own shot. He didn't look like he was comfortable handling the ball at all. His defense was pretty suspect, as he left his man wide open at least a couple of times that I can recall. He also looked totally lost on offense most of the time. He just lingered around the 3-point line most of the time and didn't move much at all without the ball. He did show a nack for rebounding though, but he should with his size and athleticism.

Sounds like he would have fit in real well with us.....