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BURGER KING BREAKERS GET THEIR BIG MAN

The Burger King NZ Breakers added another piece to their jigsaw for the upcoming Australian National Basketball League season and with it a clear picture is emerging as to how the two time play off club will play their basketball this season.

The latest recruit is American Gary Wilkinson, a 6’9” native of Utah and star of the 2009 Utah State University side. Wilkinson brings a versatile game to the Burger King Breakers, one that has been on the radar of Head Coach Andrej Lemanis for some time.

“Gary is not a new name to us; I have been aware of his abilities for some time but frankly thought he might be out of our league in terms of money. I saw Gary play at the Portsmouth tournament in the States which is where all the senior college kids who haven’t yet signed to the NBA or might want to impress further ahead of the draft get invited, essentially they go to Portsmouth to prove they should be in the draft.

“I thought he was a good player then and have done for a few years now and while I noticed he was listed with agents a couple of times, I thought we couldn’t afford him. But he came up on a list from one of our agents this year and when the offer was made I am happy to say it worked out.”

Wilkinson says the decision to further his basketball career in New Zealand was an easy one to make.

“I have been playing basketball professionally in Greece and before that I played at Utah State University.  I heard about the Breakers through my agent and the thought of me going to that part of the world to play the sport I love was an easy decision.

“I know the breakers are in the playoff race every year and I’m looking forward to helping the club compete for the championship this year. I know Luke Neville from the Tigers; I played against him while he played at Utah so I know a little about the league and can’t wait to get there!”

Lemanis says Wilkinson has the ability to play a number of positions, giving him what every coach likes to have on their roster, options.

“He can play both 5 and 4 and swing between the two positions. This means he can play with a number of combinations on the floor, giving us some flexibility. We know he can play with his back to the basket, or he can pick and pop and he is capable of spreading the floor in the trailing post position. Essentially he is good both inside and out and is a strong athlete. He won’t necessarily blow anyone away with outright athleticism but will use his body well, is a strong, smart player with a good knowledge of the game.

“The bottom line though is Gary is simply a good player, sometimes in the search you might be looking for someone bigger, someone more athletic; someone who can shoot better; well most of the time you just need a good player and that is what we have got. Gary will help the team get better, he is a good guy, just talking to him you understand that, and I have no doubt he will add to our environment.”

Wilkinson signing means the likelihood of more minutes for big man Alex Pledger with ‘The Chief’ up to task according to Lemanis.

“Pledge is good enough to hold down some big minutes, I have always believed that. That is why Gary is the right player for our roster; he can play with Pledge meaning you don’t have to sub one on for the other. Pledge will grow and play more and more minutes as the season goes on.

“Plus it is no secret we will play up-tempo, Gary fits in that mould as well, there will be some match ups during the year of size versus speed, a bit of departure from where we have been before but I know this is something that can be effective. You only have to think back to Dragons winning a championship in this manner.”

Breakers General Manager Richard Clarke says the signing of Wilkinson effectively ends their pursuit of NBA centre Sean Marks – at least temporarily.

“Our discussions with Sean are ongoing and we certainly haven’t closed the door on the possibility of him one day playing for the Burger King Breakers. Timing is simply not right at the moment with Sean unable to commit to a contract as he looks to exhaust a couple of opportunities in the States first and is looking forward to an addition to their family in November, we are totally understanding of that. Both parties are keen for it to happen sometime in the future though, it just won’t be the start of this current season.”

Player Profile
Gary Wilkinson
6’9” Forward
27 years old
Can play both the 4 and 5 spot for Coach Lemanis, with the ability to play both with his back to the boards and from the perimeter.

Gary is the first of two imports on the books of the Burger King Breakers for the upcoming season and will soon arrive to begin a new chapter in his life with wife Jessica as they make their home on the North Shore.

The 27 year old Utah native was a late bloomer, not even playing basketball as a senior at Bingham High School in South Jordan Utah after he was kicked off the programme for ‘attitude’ problems. Gary soon dropped out of School and went off the rails before the tragic suicide of a friend brought him back to his senses.

That path back took him to Utah State College and a stellar career with the ‘Aggies’, being named Western Athletic Conference player of the year and WAC tournament MVP in his final season as he led the ‘Aggies’ to NCAA action in what was very much an American sporting fairytale for a player who worked harder than most to taste both personal and team success after some tough days in his late teens.

Wilkinson is also no slouch off the court and hopes one day to practice law. He was awarded the prestigious Stan Bates Award as the top male student-athlete of the year in the Western Athletic Conference, testament to his studies as well as his great stats on court.

Wilkinson shoots the ball well from both inside and at the perimeter, at close to 60% from the floor in his two years with the Aggies. The 27 year old backs that up with 7 boards per game and low numbers in both turnovers and personal fouls at less than 2 per game in both categories.

Gary Wilkinson Stats – Utah State University