Gerald Wilkins facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 11, 1963 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| High school | Benjamin Elijah Mays (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| NBA Draft | 1985 / Round: 2 / Pick: 47th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1985–1999 |
| Career history | |
| 1985–1992 | New York Knicks |
| 1992–1994 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1995–1996 | Vancouver Grizzlies |
| 1996–1999 | Orlando Magic |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 11,736 (13.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 2,646 (2.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 2,697 (3.0 apg) |
Gerald Bernard Wilkins (born September 11, 1963) is a former American professional basketball player. He was a 6-foot-6-inch (1.98 m) shooting guard and small forward. Gerald played college basketball at Moberly Area Community College and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After college, he had a long career in the NBA.
Gerald is the younger brother of famous basketball player Dominique Wilkins. His son, Damien Wilkins, also played in the NBA. His daughter, Jasmyn Wilkins, was Miss Georgia USA in 2012. Gerald was an important player for the New York Knicks in the late 1980s. He was often the team's second-highest scorer, right after Patrick Ewing.
Contents
Early Career and the Knicks
Gerald Wilkins was chosen by the New York Knicks in the 1985 NBA draft. He quickly became a key player for the team. In 1991, he was even named Player of the Week.
Like his older brother Dominique, Gerald was known for his exciting dunks. He took part in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice. He competed in both the 1986 and 1987 contests.
Role Changes with the Knicks
Gerald started his time with the Knicks as a regular starter. However, his role on the team changed over time. This happened when other talented players joined the Knicks. John Starks arrived in 1990, and Xavier McDaniel joined in 1992. These new players meant Gerald's playing time became less.
Moving to Other Teams
After the 1992 season, Gerald Wilkins became a free agent. This meant he could sign with any team. He chose to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers had a strong team with players like Mark Price, Larry Nance, and Brad Daugherty. The team hoped Gerald would help them finally beat Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Challenges with the Cavaliers
Unfortunately, the Cavaliers were swept by the Bulls in the 1993 NBA Playoffs. This meant they lost every game in the series. Gerald stayed with the Cavaliers for a few more years. However, he faced many challenges due to injuries. He was out of action for the entire 1994–95 season because of these injuries.
Later Career Teams
In 1995, the Vancouver Grizzlies picked Gerald in the expansion draft. This draft allows new teams to choose players from other teams. But again, injuries and limited playing time kept him from helping the Grizzlies much. He played in only 28 games out of 82 that season.
He then signed with the Orlando Magic in 1996. There, he became their "sixth man." This means he was often the first player to come off the bench. The Magic signed him again for the 1997–98 season. In 1999, he signed a three-year contract. In his final season with the Magic, Gerald got to play alongside his older brother, Dominique Wilkins. Both brothers were near the end of their careers and played less often.
See also
In Spanish: Gerald Wilkins para niños
