High school gyms across the country are filled with young athletes listed as "can't miss" college prospects thanks to their prowess on the basketball court and achievement in the classroom.
Gary Wilkinson was never on that list. In fact, the big redhead wasn't even in the gym. Despite possessing those dual qualities (read: skills and size) that cause prep coaches to swoon, Gary never played a minute of high school basketball. Too much attitude, he admits. Too little heart.
The young man's academic efforts at Bingham High School (South Jordan, Utah) were not any better. He dropped out in the middle of his senior year and did a lot of nothing. Apathetic, he struggled to find a place to fit. "I didn't have a job, I just hung out with my friends," he said.
Grow up in the Salt Lake Valley and you grow up surrounded by LDS friends, neighbors and schoolmates. Gary's own parents, Gary and Kristine Wilkinson, were members. But they rarely attended Church. Gary himself had never been baptized. He was usually away from the house whenever faithful home teachers or the bishop stopped to visit.
"I was just not interested in the Church; I was somewhat disenchanted."
Then life grabbed Gary by the throat and shook hard. In November of 2000, a friend took his own life. "I asked myself, 'Where is my life headed?', 'What am I doing?"
Weeks later, Gary was at a party where another friend shared his testimony of Christ and the gospel. A spiritual light bulb clicked on.
"Three days later the missionaries arrived at my door. A month after that I was baptized," he said.
The next two years marked a time of remarkable growth for Gary. He gained the maturity he lacked as a young teenager. He earned a General Education Degree. He became an active Church member. He was given the priesthood and received a patriarchal blessing. He even began preparing for a mission. Along the way, Gary enjoyed the constant support of his parents and Church leaders.
In 2003, Gary began serving in the Canada Calgary Mission. He credits his mission president, Hal Gardner, for helping him further realize a vast personal and spiritual potential. "I loved my mission. I worked with wonderful people. I know it's cliche, but my mission was the best two years of my life."
When the Spirit prompted, Elder Wilkinson would share his own past troubles with investigators. "Those experiences generated a lot of Spirit-filled discussions," he said.
Sometimes Gary played basketball on preparation day. It was clear full-time missionary work hadn't diminished his raw talent or his rugged, 6-foot-9-inch frame. So when he returned home to Utah he flipped through the phone directory, located the athletic department at Salt Lake Community College and called the school's basketball coach, Norm Parrish.
Perhaps naively, Gary told Coach Parrish he wanted to wear the Bruin uniform. Gary said he remembers the coach asking where him where he played high school basketball. Gary's answer was apparently met with silence. Coach Parrish's interest likely rose a bit when he learned his unsolicited caller was very, very big.
Gary was invited to a scrimmage with the SLCC squad. Two days later he was offered a scholarship.
He enjoyed hardwood success immediately, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds a game his freshman year and claiming junior college third-team All-America honors. He returned for his sophomore campaign to score 18.5 points a game and eight rebounds. Division 1 universities quickly took notice.
But Gary's achievements stretched beyond basketball box scores. The high school drop-out cracked the college textbooks, utilized those mission-acquired study skills and became a two-time academic All-American. Gary Wilkinson had become a scholar-athlete.
"When the Church came into my life, it provided me with the structure to be successful," said Gary, who plans to study law after finishing an undergraduate degree.
Now a starting forward at Utah State University, Gary is averaging double-figure points for the promising Aggies. Big time college basketball moves fast and physical, but he's adjusted well early in his junior season. When Gary's not playing ball or studying, he spends time with his wife, Jessica Petersen Wilkinson, a member of the USU volleyball team.
"She's one of my biggest fans/critics," he said, laughing.
As in his missionary days, Gary doesn't hesitate to share his story with others. He enjoys speaking with youth. He hasn't forgotten a life lived sans direction. He's grateful he has a purpose.
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
