Steve Smith Praises Eric Wilkins

Eric Wilkins, a 6-3, 185 pound combination guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., has been having a solid start to his season. "Eric does so many things for us," Smith said. "He rebounds, he defends, he passes and when we need him to score, he does that."

Smith said that Wilkins, who committed to Miami of Florida in October, could have an even bigger impact when he gets to college.

"During the summer Eric took over his AAU team and was the leader," Smith said. "Here at Oak Hill with Carmelo Anthony on the team, it's difficult to do that. Because we want to establish Carmelo right away in our games. So the first option isn't Eric. But he can score too. He showed that during the summer AAU play."

Wilkins will spend his freshman year at Miami when his brother, Ed, will be a senior. Ed is an offensive tackle on the Miami football team. "It's going to be fun playing down there," Wilkins said. "I want to work on being more consistent with my game too before I get to the college level. I want to shoot the ball more consistently."

Well, Wilkins shot the ball more consistently this past summer. Because of his summer, he also received offers San Diego State and Boston College. At one time in his process, Seton Hall and Rutgers had also been involved.

Wilkins has improved his game quite a bit over the past two years. Instead of being just a slashing athlete, he now has the ability to play the point guard position, and is also an accomplished shooter out to midrange. His three point shot is also improving.