In Version 2 of our Kentucky Player Profiles, we’re talking Furman Transfer guard Alex Wilkins. Alex Wilkins will be one the most important players this year, and a make-or-breka player in Kentucky’s success.
About
Alex Wilkins grew up in Mattapan, Massachusetts playing for the Brooks School. He was just 5’7 as a Sophomore. By his junior year he was averaging 18.5 points and 2.4 assists per game. Alex continually improved, and by his senior year he averaged 25.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, eventually winning a state championship.
Meanwhile, at Furman last season he started all 35 games and averaged 17.8 Points, 2.0 Rebounds, and 4.7 Assists on 46/33/82 shooting splits.
Early Projected UK Stats for Alex Wilkins
13.8 Points, 2.4 Rebounds, 4.0 Assists, 47/35/84. (29-34 Minutes Per Game)
What can Alex Wilkins bring Offensively?
Alex Wilkins is a create 3-level scoring guard. In transition he’s nearly unstoppable. In the half court he’s a high IQ offensive product/shotmaker. He’s a high level playmaker, and he’s elite at creating space/attacking gaps to finish easy buckets at the rim. Coming off high Pick N’ Roll/Handoff’s is where he’s at his best, being able to turn a corner and get downhill with his athleticism and finishing ability through contact, makes him very hard to stop at the rim.
Efficient shot maker in the mid range, you’ll see him utilize his post up-fadeaway game often if that lane gets cut off to the rim. Also, he’s very patient while searching for his spots, utilizes strong footwork, and despite his weight, has the upper body strength to move defenders slightly to create space for step back jumpers. He does a great job of pump fake-drawing fouls, he’s honestly a very creative scorer in the area. His permitter game just takes him to another level. 65 3-pointers made, at 33%, he’s had to primarily self create majority of those shots.
Defensively
His defense will obviously will more rougher than his offensive game. Nobody expects him to come into the SEC and be a lockdown defender at the shooting guard spot. He wasn’t a high steals guy at Furman, he admittedly wasn’t the best on ball defender either. Additionally, Alex had the worst DBPM (-2.3) but was the highest usage player in the country and had the entire offensive load on his shoulders.
There can be a balance, along with a couple elite shot blockers behind him at all times, and there can be a step up here in defensive activity to kind of make up for the lack of on ball defensive skills, get em on the worst offensive G on the floor, of course jump those passing lanes, might need to trap handoffs/PnR’s, don’t be afraid to switch, I’m positive there will be defensive plans specifically in place, and again I think the other players/scheme will play a huge part in making sure he improves.
Final Takeaways
Superstar potential. We’re going to see see some very big scoring games, although I do think Alex will be a consistent secondary playmaker, I think Zoom having primary PG duties will take just enough off Alex’s plate to allow him to thrive as a 3-level shotmaker. But his potential 2nd year is what I think will be the big outbreak. SEC POY Potential, but still expect very elite play out of Alex Wilkins year 1, I just feel confident after watching so much of his tape, that he’ll seamlessly transition into the SEC, hes that good.
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