Gerald Wilkins
Encyclopedia
Gerald Bernard Wilkins is a retired American
professional basketball
player. A 6'6" (1.98 m) 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 father of guard/forward Damien Wilkins
. He was a key player on the New York Knicks
team of the late 1980s, consistently being the second leading scorer after Patrick Ewing
. He was selected in the 1985 NBA Draft
and was once named Player of the Week (3/3/91). Gerald followed in his brother's footsteps, participating in the 1986 and 1987 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he finished 4th and tied for 7th out of 8, respectively.
Though initially a starter on the Knicks, his role decreased with the arrival of shooting guard John Starks in 1990 and small forward Xavier McDaniel
in 1992. He became a free agent after the 1992 season and signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers
, which had a core of Mark Price
, Larry Nance, and Brad Daugherty. The Cavaliers hoped that Wilkins would be the final piece of the puzzle in order to finally defeat Michael Jordan
and the Chicago Bulls
. He was even labeled as "the Jordan stopper," although he had trouble guarding Jordan. Jordan would hit the shot that would sweep the Cavs in that semi-finals series while Wilkins was guarding him. He remained with the Cavs for a few more years, but languished due to injuries, especially during 1994-95 when he was out of action the entire season.
In 1995 he was picked up by the Vancouver Grizzlies
in the expansion draft
, but was unable to help out the team due to injury and lack of use, playing in only 28 of 82 games. He signed as a free agent
with the Orlando Magic
in 1996 and became their sixth man. The Magic signed him up again for 1997-98 with a $300,000 contract. In 1999, he signed a three year contract worth seven million dollars. It was in his final season with the Magic that Gerald got to play with his older brother Dominique Wilkins
, although both were in the twilight of their careers and thus used sparingly.
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. A 6'6" (1.98 m) shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
/small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
, who played collegiately at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public university located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The University, often referred to as UTC or simply "Chattanooga" , is one of three universities and two other affiliated institutions in the University of Tennessee System; the others being in...
, and later in the NBA.
Gerald is the younger brother of former 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:...
superstar Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins
Jacques Dominique Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA...
and father of guard/forward Damien Wilkins
Damien Wilkins
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 was a key player on the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
team of the late 1980s, consistently being the second leading scorer after Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
. He was selected in the 1985 NBA Draft
1985 NBA Draft
The 1985 NBA Draft took place on June 18, 1985. It was also the first NBA Draft of the "Lottery" era. A total of 162 players were selected over 7 rounds by the league's 23 teams. The New York Knicks were awarded the first overall pick, by winning the first-ever NBA Draft Lottery, which was held...
and was once named Player of the Week (3/3/91). Gerald followed in his brother's footsteps, participating in the 1986 and 1987 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he finished 4th and tied for 7th out of 8, respectively.
Though initially a starter on the Knicks, his role decreased with the arrival of shooting guard John Starks in 1990 and small forward Xavier McDaniel
Xavier McDaniel
Xavier Maurice McDaniel , nicknamed the X-Man, is a retired American National Basketball Association player who, at 6 ft 7 in, played both small forward and power forward, and former head coach of the Riders Slamball team.-College:While at Wichita State, McDaniel was the first person to...
in 1992. He became a free agent after the 1992 season and signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, which had a core of Mark Price
Mark Price
William Mark Price is a retired American basketball player who played for 12 seasons in the NBA, from 1986 to 1998...
, Larry Nance, and Brad Daugherty. The Cavaliers hoped that Wilkins would be the final piece of the puzzle in order to finally defeat Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
and the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. He was even labeled as "the Jordan stopper," although he had trouble guarding Jordan. Jordan would hit the shot that would sweep the Cavs in that semi-finals series while Wilkins was guarding him. He remained with the Cavs for a few more years, but languished due to injuries, especially during 1994-95 when he was out of action the entire season.
In 1995 he was picked up by the Vancouver Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
in the expansion draft
Expansion draft
An expansion draft, in professional sports, occurs when a sports league decides to create one or more new expansion teams or franchises. This occurs mainly in North American sports. One of the ways of stocking the new team or teams is an expansion draft...
, but was unable to help out the team due to injury and lack of use, playing in only 28 of 82 games. He signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
in 1996 and became their sixth man. The Magic signed him up again for 1997-98 with a $300,000 contract. In 1999, he signed a three year contract worth seven million dollars. It was in his final season with the Magic that Gerald got to play with his older brother Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins
Jacques Dominique Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA...
, although both were in the twilight of their careers and thus used sparingly.