Eddie Lee Wilkins

Last updated

Eddie Lee Wilkins
Personal information
Born (1962-05-07) May 7, 1962 (age 62)
Cartersville, Georgia
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school Cass (Cartersville, Georgia)
College Gardner–Webb (1980–1984)
NBA draft 1984: 6th round, 133rd overall pick
Selected by the New York Knicks
Playing career1984–1993
Position Power forward / center
Number21, 45, 55
Career history
1984–1985 New York Knicks
1985 Connecticut Colonials
1986 Westchester Golden Apples
1986 Valladolid
1986 Rockford Lightning
1987 New York Knicks
1987 Staten Island Stallions
1987–1988 Savannah Spirits
1988 Quad City Thunder
1988 Jersey Shore Bucs
1988–1991 New York Knicks
1991–1992 Ranger Varese
1992–1993 Philadelphia 76ers
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Eddie Lee Wilkins (born May 7, 1962) is an American former basketball player. A 6'10" forward/center [2] from Gardner-Webb University, Wilkins played professionally for nine seasons in Italy, Spain and the United States, includ six seasons in the NBA for the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Contents

Early life

Wilkins graduated from Cass High School in Cartersville, Georgia.

College career

Wilkins played college basketball at Gardner-Webb University where he averaged 18.7 points during his career. During his junior season, he averaged 24.8 points per game. [3] In 1991, he was inducted into Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame. [4]

Professional career

Following his college career, Wilkins was selected by the New York Knicks in the sixth round (133rd pick overall) of the 1984 NBA draft. In his debut, he scored an NBA career high 24 points. [5] During his rookie season, he averaged 5.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He missed the entire 1985–1986 season with torn knee ligaments. [3]

Wilkins started the 1986–1987 season with Valladolid in Spain where he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds before returning to the United States and signing with Rockford Lightning. In February 1987, he signed back with the Knicks. [6]

On November 15, 1990, he scored 20 points in 20 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers. [7]

When Pat Riley came to New York, Wilkins was released. He spent the 1991–92 season in Italy with Ranger Varese before returning to the NBA the next season, signing a 2-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. [8] Towards the end of the 1992-93 season, on April 15, 1993, the Sixers were playing the Orlando Magic, who were led by rookie Shaquille O'Neal. On a rebound attempt, Wilkins and O'Neal collided and became entangled. Wilkins tore his achilles tendon, missing the remainder of the season. His career was effectively ended. [9]

In his NBA career, Wilkins played in 322 games [10] and scored a total of 1,534 points.

Personal life

Collection of jerseys worn by Wilkins during his career Eddie Lee Wilkins Jerseys.jpg
Collection of jerseys worn by Wilkins during his career

His youngest son Evan Wilkins, better known by his stage name Ev Young is a singer-songwriter.[ citation needed ]

In 1989, he established the Eddie Lee Wilkins Foundation, which later became the Eddie Lee Wilkins Youth Association. With the help of program director David Archer, Jr., Wilkins and the association began providing athletic and social intervention activities for youth in the Cartersville and North Georgia area. Wilkins currently runs a youth basketball league in Smyrna, Georgia for youth boys ages 4 – 6.[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. ↑ "CBA all-stars". USA Today . January 22, 1988. p. 5C. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  2. ↑ Curtis G. Bunn (October 13, 1989). "Eddie Lee: Good grades for passing". Newsday . p. 163. Retrieved May 29, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. 1 2 "The Wilkins file". Newsday . February 23, 1987. p. 86. Retrieved May 29, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. ↑ "Eddie Lee Wilkins (1991) - Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame". gwusports.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  5. ↑ Dick Young (October 29, 1984). "Newest Knicks show knack for winning". The Record . p. 49. Retrieved May 29, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. ↑ Gary Binford (February 23, 1987). "Wilkins enjoys second time around". Newsday . p. 84. Retrieved May 29, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ Steve Adamek (November 21, 1990). "Knicks combinations unlocking victories". The Record . p. E3. Retrieved May 29, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. ↑ Phil Jasner (October 14, 1992). "Sixers sign Eddie Wilkins for 2 years". Philadelphia Daily News . p. 68. Retrieved May 29, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. ↑ "Injury may end Wilkins' career". The Park City Daily News . Associated Press. April 18, 1993. p. 5B. Retrieved June 19, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  10. ↑ Bret McCormick (February 21, 2018). "Eddie Lee Wilkins (1980-84)". The Herald . p. B2. Retrieved May 29, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
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