Damien Wilkins
Encyclopedia
Damien Lamont Wilkins is an American
professional basketball
player who last played for the Atlanta Hawks
. He attended Dr. Phillips High School
in Orlando, Florida
and then enrolled at North Carolina State University
. After two years at NCSU he transferred to the University of Georgia
. He is the son of retired 13-year NBA veteran Gerald Wilkins
and nephew of nine-time NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins
.
After a quick and promising start to his NCAA career at North Carolina State, Wilkins entered the 2001 NBA Draft
but decided to withdraw and transfer to Georgia. There, he had two solid but unspectacular seasons and went undrafted in 2004. A renewed diligence in the weight room helped Wilkins have a big summer league and shine in preseason action for the Sonics, allowing him to make the team. After biding his time and working after practice, Wilkins got his shot in late March of his rookie season and came through, scoring a career-high 21 points, including a few game-saving baskets, at Portland on March 24, 2005. Wilkins would start seven games the rest of the way as the Sonics battled injuries. He proved himself in the 2005 Playoffs
when injuries struck again, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds and five steals in the Sonics' Game 4 win over San Antonio. A restricted free agent in the summer of 2005, Wilkins received an offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves in August 2005, which the Sonics matched within 7 days.
In the 2007 season, the departure of Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen gave way to start Damien Wilkins. On November 16, 2007 he scored a career-high 41 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in a game against the Atlanta Hawks.
On July 27, 2009, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves
along with Chucky Atkins
for center Etan Thomas
and two future second-round draft picks. In the Minnesota 2009 home opener, Damien made a game-winning shot that beat the New Jersey Nets
.
On September 28, 2010, he was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies, but he was waived at the end of training camp on October 21.
On December 3, 2010, he signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks
after Joe Johnson
's injury. The Hawks released him after one month.
On January 8, 2011, the Atlanta Hawks signed Wilkins to a 10-day contract. On January 28, 2011, the Hawks signed him for the remainder of the season.
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Seattle
| 29 || 7 || 17.9 || .435 || .271 || .618 || 2.3 || .9 || .8 || .3 || 6.3
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Seattle
| 82 || 12 || 18.6 || .444 || .250 || .840 || 2.3 || 1.3 || .9 || .2 || 6.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Seattle
| 82 || 31 || 24.8 || .435 || .410 || .882 || 2.8 || 1.9 || 1.1 || .2 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Seattle
| 76 || 31 || 24.3 || .403 || .323 || .736 || 3.2 || 2.0 || .8 || .2 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Oklahoma City
| 41 || 14 || 15.5 || .362 || .375 || .804 || 1.7 || .9 || .5 || .2 || 5.3
|-
| align="left" | 2009-10
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 80 || 31 || 19.8 || .433 || .295 || .798 || 3.1 || 1.7 || .8 || .3 || 5.6
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 52 || 0 || 13.0 || .504 || .200 || .714 || 1.7 || 0.8 || .5 || .2 || 3.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 442 || 126 || 20.0 || .425 || .331 || .800 || 2.6 || 1.5 || .8 || .2 || 6.8
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Seattle
| 7 || 0 || 19.4 || .444 || .273 || .444 || 2.6 || .4 || 1.4 || .1 || 5.6
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Atlanta
| 8 || 0 || 4.9 || .538 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || .1 || .3 || .3 || 1.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| class="sortbottom" | 15 || 0 || 11.7 || .469 || .231 || .444 || 1.7 || .3 || .8 || .2 || 3.5
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who last played for the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
. He attended Dr. Phillips High School
Dr. Phillips High School
Dr. Phillips High School is a high school located in Orlando, Florida, United States.The area of Dr. Phillips, Florida is named after Dr. Philip Phillips, a physician who later became a Central Florida citrus magnate. He was responsible for several key innovations in the processing and packaging of...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
and then enrolled at North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
. After two years at NCSU he transferred to the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. He is the son of retired 13-year NBA veteran Gerald Wilkins
Gerald Wilkins
Gerald Bernard Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'6" shooting guard/small forward, who played collegiately at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and later in the NBA.Gerald is the younger brother of former Atlanta Hawks superstar Dominique Wilkins and...
and nephew of nine-time NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins
Jacques Dominique Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA...
.
After a quick and promising start to his NCAA career at North Carolina State, Wilkins entered the 2001 NBA Draft
2001 NBA Draft
The 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player drafted with the first overall pick...
but decided to withdraw and transfer to Georgia. There, he had two solid but unspectacular seasons and went undrafted in 2004. A renewed diligence in the weight room helped Wilkins have a big summer league and shine in preseason action for the Sonics, allowing him to make the team. After biding his time and working after practice, Wilkins got his shot in late March of his rookie season and came through, scoring a career-high 21 points, including a few game-saving baskets, at Portland on March 24, 2005. Wilkins would start seven games the rest of the way as the Sonics battled injuries. He proved himself in the 2005 Playoffs
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
when injuries struck again, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds and five steals in the Sonics' Game 4 win over San Antonio. A restricted free agent in the summer of 2005, Wilkins received an offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves in August 2005, which the Sonics matched within 7 days.
In the 2007 season, the departure of Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen gave way to start Damien Wilkins. On November 16, 2007 he scored a career-high 41 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in a game against the Atlanta Hawks.
On July 27, 2009, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
along with Chucky Atkins
Chucky Atkins
Kenneth Lavon "Chucky" Atkins is an American professional basketball player. He is currently a free agent.-Basketball career:...
for center Etan Thomas
Etan Thomas
Dedreck Etan Thomas, commonly referred to as Etan Thomas , is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association.-College:...
and two future second-round draft picks. In the Minnesota 2009 home opener, Damien made a game-winning shot that beat the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
On September 28, 2010, he was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies, but he was waived at the end of training camp on October 21.
On December 3, 2010, he signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
after Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson (basketball)
Joe Marcus Johnson is an American professional basketball player, currently a member of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Johnson stands at 6'7" and 240 lbs ....
's injury. The Hawks released him after one month.
On January 8, 2011, the Atlanta Hawks signed Wilkins to a 10-day contract. On January 28, 2011, the Hawks signed him for the remainder of the season.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Seattle
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
| 29 || 7 || 17.9 || .435 || .271 || .618 || 2.3 || .9 || .8 || .3 || 6.3
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Seattle
| 82 || 12 || 18.6 || .444 || .250 || .840 || 2.3 || 1.3 || .9 || .2 || 6.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Seattle
| 82 || 31 || 24.8 || .435 || .410 || .882 || 2.8 || 1.9 || 1.1 || .2 || 8.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Seattle
| 76 || 31 || 24.3 || .403 || .323 || .736 || 3.2 || 2.0 || .8 || .2 || 9.2
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
| 41 || 14 || 15.5 || .362 || .375 || .804 || 1.7 || .9 || .5 || .2 || 5.3
|-
| align="left" | 2009-10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
| 80 || 31 || 19.8 || .433 || .295 || .798 || 3.1 || 1.7 || .8 || .3 || 5.6
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
| 52 || 0 || 13.0 || .504 || .200 || .714 || 1.7 || 0.8 || .5 || .2 || 3.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 442 || 126 || 20.0 || .425 || .331 || .800 || 2.6 || 1.5 || .8 || .2 || 6.8
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2004–05
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Seattle
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
| 7 || 0 || 19.4 || .444 || .273 || .444 || 2.6 || .4 || 1.4 || .1 || 5.6
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2011 NBA Playoffs
The 2011 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2010–11 season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs, all seeded 1 to 8 in a tournament bracket, with all rounds in a best-of-seven format. The 2011 NBA Playoffs began on...
| align="left" | Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
| 8 || 0 || 4.9 || .538 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || .1 || .3 || .3 || 1.8
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| class="sortbottom" | 15 || 0 || 11.7 || .469 || .231 || .444 || 1.7 || .3 || .8 || .2 || 3.5