UVA freshman forward Isaiah Wilkins hadn’t played in several games before he heard his name called Saturday at Notre Dame.
He admitted to having to do a doubletake.
“I was like, Me, really?” said Wilkins, who logged 14 minutes, including time in the final minutes of the Cavs’ 62-56 win over the Irish, grabbing four rebounds, then played 11 minutes Tuesday night as the second-ranked Cavs dispatched Clemson, 65-42.
Wilkins scored five points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field, including sinking his first career three-pointer.
His minutes at Notre Dame came as junior Anthony Gill saw his time decreased on a rare off-night. Tuesday, Gill found more time on the bench with foul trouble.
Wilkins said he was ready Tuesday night after his solid outing on the road in South Bend.
“All the guys are telling me that it’s ok when I’m not playing, that my number’s going to be called, and they’re going to need me this year. It’s such a positive team that it’s easy to have self-confidence,” said Wilkins, who is averaging 1.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in 9.9 minutes per game in his 11 appearances as a freshman.
UVA coach Tony Bennett made it sound after the game that we will see more of Wilkins as the season goes on.
“We’ve played some teams that have been very mobile at the four, and we’ve played a little flat. Isaiah is such an active player. He’s got a textbook stance the way he spreads out. He plays so hard in practice and is a relentless worker. Sometimes you feel like you need an injection of energy. It was good to see him being active tonight. Hopefully, he’ll keep coming,” Bennett said.
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Chris Graham
