TORONTO– This U.S. men’s Pan American games team has a completely different look to it.
In the past, the U.S. representatives had a college look to them. But after FIBA has decided to change the concept for the 1919 World Cup in China in an effort duplicate ,the regional qualifiers that FIFA holds for its soccer World Cup and hold them in the middle of the college and NBA season,
With that in mind, USA Basketball has already started to experiment, splitting its roster between college players and older players who have experience playing professionally internationally
The results have been choppy to date.
The Americas defeated Venezuela, 85-62, in the opening round of pool play here last night at the old Male Leaf Gardens, but the age gap between players on this team created problems with chemistry and at one point in the second half, the U.S. trailed, 46-41 before Damien Wilkins, a 35-year old former NBA player bailed them out with 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter when the U.S. went on a 15-0 take a 74-55 lead.
“Well it was a total tale of two halves,” USA and Gonzaga University head coach Mark Few admitted. “We were absolutely awful in the first half. We didn’t do anything on offense, we didn’t play together, we didn’t run anything. We kind of let their physicality just push us out and then our answer was either to take a tough shot or drive in there and miss a bunny. Then we compounded it with some silly turnovers and a couple of defensive letdowns.
“But to their credit, they came out after halftime and played probably as good of a half as we’ve played counting our two scrimmages and even some of the things we did back in the states.”
The U.S. shot just 28 percent at half and even though they finished shooting 45 percent for the game, they had just 5 assists and 15 turnovers, an indication this group is still a work in progress.
“It’s been a process since we’ve been together,” Wilkins said. “Everyday since the start of tryouts, we’ve been trying to build some chemistry and get some cohesiveness. And the teams we’re playing has been playing together for quite some time. We’re just getting together. I think we got better since the game went o and that’s what we’re going to try to do each and every night. In this type of environment you have to get better. You have to take a step forward.”
Wilkins shot 6 for 10, made 8 of 13 free throws, offering leadership and character when this team– which played the first three quarters like it was playing in a YMCA Rec League, started to come to life. Wilkins, who played his college ball at NC State and Georgia, spent this past season playing in both the D-League and then in the Puerto Rican professional League. Wilkins played in the D league with the Iowa Energy who drafted him with the 16th overall pick. He averaged 20.9 , 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 27 games and was named to the 2015 D-League All Star team. Then, he went on to play for Indios de Mayaguez where he averaged a team high 17.3 points.
Wilkins, the son of retired NBA player Gerald Wilkins and the nephew of NBA great Dominique Wilkins, is a classic gym rat who loves the idea of representing his country and duplicate the accomplishments of his uncle, who won a won medal playing for the U.S. in the 1994 World University Games.
“They didn’t have to ask twice,” he said. “I love this. Basketball has been good to my family. I try to give it everything I have to do because the sport has given so much to me. I feel like I’ve never worked a day in my life. I’m just happy to be out here to be a part of this.
“When USA basketball called, they didn’t have to ask twice. When you play on other teams you go out there you compete. You go hard. You do all those things that help your team win. But you are playing for a certain group of people, so to speak. With USA on, you are playing with a lot more on your back, more on your shoulders, because you are representing a lot more. It is humbling. I am thrilled to be apart of it.”
In his nine years in the NBA, Wilkins played for six teams, including the Seattle Supersonics (2004-05 to 2007-08), Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-09), Minnesota Timberwolves (2009-10), Atlanta Hawks (2010-11), Detroit Pistons (2011-12) and the Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13). In 563 games in the league, he averaged 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and shot 42.7 percent from the field.
Wilkins is one of five former college players on this team. USA Basketball had to scramble to find candidates, going through a list of 40 names before they came up with legit candidates who were willing to spend three weeks practicing and participating. The others are former Kansas guard Keith Langford, from Alabama forward Anthony Randolph, who plays in Russia, former Cal Fullerton star Bobby Brown, who plays in China and guard Ryan Hollins, who spend last season as a rookie with the NBA Sacramento Kings.
Interestingly, three of the older players– Wilkins, Randolph and Brown– are the most accomplished players on the roster. Randolph finished with 16 ppnts and 6 rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting. Brown had 12, even though he shot just 4 for 12. Of the college players on the roster, only Virginia guard Malcolm Brodgen and Baylor forward Tavrean Prince look like they have first round potential.
Wilkins came into camp with serious intentions.
“To prepare, to help the team as much as I can, to put my thumb print on this team,” Wilkins explained as one of his goals. “As far as helping the coaching staff, being a coach on the floor, because a lot of times guys get tired of listening to the coaches’ voice, they want to hear it from a player’s perspective, someone that is actually out there with them.
“I try to utilize the knowledge that I have gained over the years, show them the way the best I can, and hopefully we all get better from it. We all learn from each other, then ultimately come back with a gold medal. That is the only reason we are here.
“To win gold, that’s it. That’s the only game plan.”
With that in mind, he has gone out of his way to help his teammates.
“Experience is the best teacher,” Wilkins said. “I remember going into the NBA my rookie year. I was on a team full of veterans. They were doing things that I was like, ‘damn that was so simple how did he do that; how did he create that space; how did he know that was going to be open’; things of that nature.
“It was just simple basketball IQ from the experiences that they have been through. I will use my experience to my advantage when playing against these guys, against anyone, use the things, the tools that I have picked up from playing against veteran guys, and apply it in the game.”
Wilkins’ ultimate goal is to become a coach when he finally stops being a basketball nomad.
“I told coach Few, ‘Don’t hire me yet. I still got some basketball to play,” Wilkins said.
