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Wilkins always happy to come home
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Damien Wilkins was the man of the hour Saturday, as family and old friends came up to greet him during Saturday’s Fourth Annual “Fun Day” event.
While Wilkins was happy to see everybody, he was even happier to see all the smiles on the kids’ faces running around during “Fun Day.” Wilkins, a Washington native and a star with the Seattle SuperSonics, has returned home each of the last four years to give back to his community.
“It seems to get more and more special,” Wilkins said. “More and more people come out, we get more and more support from the community and it starts to mean a lot more to me with every one of them.”
MEMORIES
Wilkins fondly recalls running around Washington while he was a kid.
“One of my favorite memories growing up was being the first member of the Boys & Girls Club when it first opened its doors,” Wilkins said. “That’s something that I’ll never forget.
“Just hanging out and walking the streets, and playing basketball at the drop of a dime. I remember hanging out with Sam (Crawford) at the Rec Center. Those days were fun. I’ve always had fond memories of Washington and that’s why I come back.”
DADDY’S DAY
Wilkins was joined by his son, Jayden, during Saturday’s “Fun Day” event. Little Jayden even saw some court time, although he was in his father’s arm, during Friday’s basketball camp at P.S. Jones Middle School.
Wilkins’ eyes seemed to gleem when he spoke about Jayden, and about enjoying his first Father’s Day as a dad.
“It was a great Father’s Day,” Wilkins said. “It was different. Now, along with my birthday, I get another day where I can be the man of the house.
“I got a lot of calls from some friends, some text messages from some friends wishing me a happy Father’s Day. I’m usually the one calling and wishing them happy Father’s Day. It was strange getting those messages saying, ‘happy first Father’s Day,’ but having a child is a blessing.”
Wilkins said that Jayden has opened his eyes to a new world.
“Ever since I’ve had Jayden, life has been different,” he said. “I look at things a lot different now.
“He’s very encouraging, that’s for sure.”
HOOP DREAMS
Wilkins was happy to see his close friend and former Seattle teammate, Ray Allen, win a championship with the Boston Celtics.
“Ray and I have been close ever since I stepped in the door in Seattle,” Wilkins said. “He took me under his wing. Even when he moved on (to Boston), he never let go. We kept in close contact during the season. He’s always giving me great advice.
“During the playoffs, we talked a lot. I would send him encouraging text messages from time to time, just things that he used to say to me. To see him win that championship really felt like I won it because I’m only one year removed from being a teammate of his. I told him that being as close as we are, it really felt like I won that championship with him. I talked to him (Wednesday) and he said it’s unbelievable, that he still can’t believe it.”
Now Wilkins, who put up career-high numbers with 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.3 blocks per game last season, wants to celebrate an NBA title just like his good friend did.
“To be able to have that opportunity, and not many players in the NBA get it, that’s what we all work for,” Wilkins said. “That’s what I work for. I’m sure that’s what my teammates and colleagues work for. It’s something you can’t take for granted. Once you get that opportunity, you have to seize it.”
MOVING DAY?
Wilkins is not exaxtly sure where he’ll be playing next year. The owner of the SuperSonics is hoping the team will play at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City next year. However, the city of Seattle wants the team to stay put and remain playing at KeyArena in Seattle.
Since it’s out of his control, Wilkins isn’t worrying about the situation.
“Not at this point,” Wilkins said. “I’m not in Seattle right now. Obviously, I’m here (in Washington) now and I’ve been spending a lot of my time in Atlanta where I live in the off-season. Most of the guys on the team that I know haven’t really been in Seattle so, I don’t know how much they’re thinking about it.
“Hopefully, things will work out for the best for the city of Seattle. I think that’s what all of us want; that’s all I want.”
FUTURE ‘FUN DAY’ EVENTS
Whether he’s in Oklahoma City, Seattle or somewhere else next year, Wilkins is already looking forward to another basketball camp and his Fifth Annual “Fun Day” next year.
“I haven’t stopped yet,” Wilkins said. “I don’t intend on stopping.
“Hopefully, we can keep it going and keep the interest there. I’m hoping it continues to get bigger and bigger.”
While Wilkins was happy to see everybody, he was even happier to see all the smiles on the kids’ faces running around during “Fun Day.” Wilkins, a Washington native and a star with the Seattle SuperSonics, has returned home each of the last four years to give back to his community.
“It seems to get more and more special,” Wilkins said. “More and more people come out, we get more and more support from the community and it starts to mean a lot more to me with every one of them.”
MEMORIES
Wilkins fondly recalls running around Washington while he was a kid.
“One of my favorite memories growing up was being the first member of the Boys & Girls Club when it first opened its doors,” Wilkins said. “That’s something that I’ll never forget.
“Just hanging out and walking the streets, and playing basketball at the drop of a dime. I remember hanging out with Sam (Crawford) at the Rec Center. Those days were fun. I’ve always had fond memories of Washington and that’s why I come back.”
DADDY’S DAY
Wilkins was joined by his son, Jayden, during Saturday’s “Fun Day” event. Little Jayden even saw some court time, although he was in his father’s arm, during Friday’s basketball camp at P.S. Jones Middle School.
Wilkins’ eyes seemed to gleem when he spoke about Jayden, and about enjoying his first Father’s Day as a dad.
“It was a great Father’s Day,” Wilkins said. “It was different. Now, along with my birthday, I get another day where I can be the man of the house.
“I got a lot of calls from some friends, some text messages from some friends wishing me a happy Father’s Day. I’m usually the one calling and wishing them happy Father’s Day. It was strange getting those messages saying, ‘happy first Father’s Day,’ but having a child is a blessing.”
Wilkins said that Jayden has opened his eyes to a new world.
“Ever since I’ve had Jayden, life has been different,” he said. “I look at things a lot different now.
“He’s very encouraging, that’s for sure.”
HOOP DREAMS
Wilkins was happy to see his close friend and former Seattle teammate, Ray Allen, win a championship with the Boston Celtics.
“Ray and I have been close ever since I stepped in the door in Seattle,” Wilkins said. “He took me under his wing. Even when he moved on (to Boston), he never let go. We kept in close contact during the season. He’s always giving me great advice.
“During the playoffs, we talked a lot. I would send him encouraging text messages from time to time, just things that he used to say to me. To see him win that championship really felt like I won it because I’m only one year removed from being a teammate of his. I told him that being as close as we are, it really felt like I won that championship with him. I talked to him (Wednesday) and he said it’s unbelievable, that he still can’t believe it.”
Now Wilkins, who put up career-high numbers with 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.3 blocks per game last season, wants to celebrate an NBA title just like his good friend did.
“To be able to have that opportunity, and not many players in the NBA get it, that’s what we all work for,” Wilkins said. “That’s what I work for. I’m sure that’s what my teammates and colleagues work for. It’s something you can’t take for granted. Once you get that opportunity, you have to seize it.”
MOVING DAY?
Wilkins is not exaxtly sure where he’ll be playing next year. The owner of the SuperSonics is hoping the team will play at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City next year. However, the city of Seattle wants the team to stay put and remain playing at KeyArena in Seattle.
Since it’s out of his control, Wilkins isn’t worrying about the situation.
“Not at this point,” Wilkins said. “I’m not in Seattle right now. Obviously, I’m here (in Washington) now and I’ve been spending a lot of my time in Atlanta where I live in the off-season. Most of the guys on the team that I know haven’t really been in Seattle so, I don’t know how much they’re thinking about it.
“Hopefully, things will work out for the best for the city of Seattle. I think that’s what all of us want; that’s all I want.”
FUTURE ‘FUN DAY’ EVENTS
Whether he’s in Oklahoma City, Seattle or somewhere else next year, Wilkins is already looking forward to another basketball camp and his Fifth Annual “Fun Day” next year.
“I haven’t stopped yet,” Wilkins said. “I don’t intend on stopping.
“Hopefully, we can keep it going and keep the interest there. I’m hoping it continues to get bigger and bigger.”
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| Damien does it again |
