António Wilkerson Jr. @PrepHoopsTN/AboveTheRimGym Fall Combine Recapture
António Wilkerson Jr. (Brick Church Middle) gifted the @PrepHoopsTN/AboveTheRimGym Fall Combine with a scary potential and remarkable athleticism.
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2024
- 6’1 1/2″ wing
- Wingspan — 6’9″ or 81″
- Height w/o shoes — 6’1 1/2″
- Height w/ shoes — 6’3″
- Shoe size — 13
- Hand Span — 9.0″
- Hand Length — 8.5″
- Standing Reach — 8’2″
- Lane Agility — 12.91, 13.61
- Summer Combine Ranking — #14
- All-Star Top 20
NBA Stylistic Comparison: 2016 Pacers Paul George
College Projection: Mid-Major D1.
Begin with what Antonio Wilkerson Jr. can’t do. He can’t change directions twice before effortlessly burying a mid-range jumper. What I just described is a skill maybe 20 guys in the world have perfected. Wilkerson Jr. is not the absurdly agile direction-changer that he will be someday. He is much more effective with one dribble into a shot, at this early, early stage.
Now…what can Wilkerson Jr. do? (Deep breath) Antonio can knock down an open triple. He can rebound. He can get up the floor pretty well. Speed will improve naturally, but he was slightly slower than the average camper. NOTE: Almost all campers were 1-3 years older than him. For his age, he is fast for a forward.
His shot takes a little time to get off, but no need to worry. He is a long-armed young man still growing. The fluidity is fine and the form and results are encouraging. Wilkerson’s shooting touch is good from both 18′ and anywhere 12′ and in. He actually plays like a 4-man now, even though he projects as a 3/4 with the anticipated physical maturation.
Generally, the youngest participants at PrepHoopsTN combines are quiet, shy, and inhibited. Wilkerson was not a vociferous talker, and yet he made one of the biggest statements of the day when he joined the wingspan station. Only 6’1″ish, Wilkerson Jr. spread his wings 81″ apart! For context, Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, Jarret Culver all recorded the same wingspan as they entered the NBA. Those are all 6-foot-6+ players with remarkable athleticism. It is merely a single measurement, but it sent a quiet murmur through the combine coaching staff for good reason.
All indications are that Wilkerson will be able to break down defenders with the dribble or even back them down on the blocks. He has that kind of versatility in his future. Most likely, Wilkerson Jr. will be a slender high school player throughout. For this reason alone he might struggle to get low and back a guy down.
Plenty of PrepHoopsTN coverage will detail the growth and accomplishments of Antonio in the coming years.
Follow @AndrewForce8 and @PrepHoopsTN for the latest.