‘Just me being me’: Lamar Wilkerson bounces back to lead IU basketball to comeback exhibition win
- Josh Pos
- 2h ago
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Darian DeVries wasn’t worried. He had seen Lamar Wilkerson light it up too many times over the last eight weeks to doubt what was coming next.
Even after a rough shooting night, the first-year Indiana coach knew his senior guard would bounce back.
Wilkerson shot just 3-for-13 from three in Indiana’s first exhibition on Wednesday. But DeVries remained confident.
“I kind of like the fact that he struggled shooting in an exhibition game, because he doesn’t struggle very often,” DeVries said. “He’s one of those guys that I don’t care if he goes 2-for-20, because that means he’s going to go 18-for-20 some night.”
The Sam Houston transfer is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter and shot 44.5 percent last season for the Bearkats.
In Indiana’s come-from-behind victory on Saturday night against Mega Superbet, Wilkerson led the second-half surge. His playmaking and timely shots sparked a 70-19 run over two and a half quarters, fueling his team’s comeback. The run led the Hoosiers to a 93-71 victory at Caliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan.
“It’s what it looked like,” Wilkerson said of how the run felt. “It felt good for all of our pieces to fall together and make that run.”
The game didn’t come easily for Wilkerson right away. The 6-foot-5 guard was held in check in the first half, scoring five points while collecting a pair of rebounds.
However, as Wilkerson’s shot began to fall, so did the rest of the team’s. Wilkerson had eight points in the first five minutes of the third quarter, drilling a 3-pointer from each wing.
“He can just change a game in two or three possessions,” DeVries said. “He can go 0-for-4 to 4-for-8, 6-for-10, in a hurry.”
As each shot rattled in, Wilkerson’s eyes began to light up. The two-time All-Conference USA first team selection found his groove and wasn’t planning on looking back.
“It’s just like being in an empty gym,” Wilkerson said. “I don’t see anybody; it’s just me being me.”
Wilkerson finished with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including a 3-of-4 mark from deep.
Though his 3-point shot made the big difference, Wilkerson filled it up from inside the arc. His four makes on seven shots from two was Wilkerson playing within his game. In Wednesday’s blowout victory, Wilkerson missed his lone 2-point attempt.
One play from Wilkerson stood out Saturday night. It went unnoticed on the stat sheet but was crucial in shifting the game’s momentum.
He accelerated downhill towards the basket for a layup and although he missed the layup, Wilkerson drew the attention of three defenders. Forward Sam Alexis threw down a thunderous putback dunk, giving Indiana its first lead since the opening quarter of play.
Indiana brought the Ashdown, Arkansas, native to Bloomington to be a leader on the floor. However, Wilkerson has grown as Indiana’s vocal leader and it showed even when his shot wasn’t falling.
When junior guard Jasai Miles converted on an and-one in the third quarter, Wilkerson was on the bench. He didn’t stay seated for long, stepping off the bench and inside the 3-point line to give his teammate a high five.
Flashes of leadership throughout the trip have seen Wilkerson’s stock rise as an emerging captain.
Like his teammates, Wilkerson has something to prove. In his final year of eligibility, he’s aiming to leave a mark in his lone season as a Hoosier.
Over the past eight weeks, DeVries has gotten to know every player on his roster. And when it comes to Wilkerson’s 3-point shot, his belief hasn’t wavered.
“I have ultimate faith in Lamar making shots,” DeVries said. “I think you saw a glimpse of why we do in that second half.”
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