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Eddie Lee Wilkins facts for kids

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Eddie Lee Wilkins
No. 21, 45, 55
Power forward / center
Personal information
Born (1962-05-07) May 7, 1962 (age 62)
Cartersville, Georgia
Nationality American
High school Cass (Cartersville, Georgia)
Listed height 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight 220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College Gardner–Webb (1980–1984)
NBA Draft 1984 / Round: 6 / Pick: 133rd overall
Selected by the New York Knicks
Pro career 1984–1993
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
  • CBA All-Star (1988)

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

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. In 1991, he was inducted into Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame.

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. 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.

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.

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

When Pat Riley came to New York, Wilkins was released. He went to Italy for one season (1991–92, joining Ranger Varese), before returning to the NBA the next season, signing a 2-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. 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.

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

Personal life

Eddie Lee Wilkins Jerseys
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.

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.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Eddie Wilkins para niños

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