Getting to know Dr. Dunk Damien Wilson

Former UCLA coaching great John Wooden once stated “adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself” and this statement is perfect for Oak Hill’s 6’6 WF Damien Wilson. Wilson has enjoyed an absolutely stellar AAU career with teammate Jordan Adams and was a starter for Oak Hill as a junior. In the pre-season, Damien Wilson was saddled with a foot injury that kept him out of early season workouts along with missing the first game of the season. With the influx of new players on the Oak Hill roster, Wilson went from being a starter as a junior to coming off the bench as a senior. Most players would not take too kindly to the idea, but in speaking with Wilson he fully understands the 2011-12 Oak Hill Warriors’ team is deeper and more talented than the season before where they went 29-4. The adversity that Damien Wilson faced is just what many talented young players face when they get to college. During this time, Wilson has become more acquainted with himself and feels good about things which in itself are an important life skill.

Damien’s nickname is appropriately named Dr. Dunk as he is second on the team with the most dunks behind 7’0 senior center AJ Hammons. For the season, Wilson is averaging 5.6 PPG for the currently undefeated Oak Hill Warriors. He has shot 48% from the floor going 80-164 while connecting on 39-51 free throws for 76.5%. More importantly, Wilson is fourth in team assists and it is unselfishness that has made a big impression on me. Playing on a high profile team such as Oak Hill, it is often easy for players to think of themselves and try to pad their statistics during games where the outcome has been decided early in the contest. That being said, Wilson will always make the extra pass at the expense of padding his own scoring statistics. While having the national reputation of an athletic scorer, he is often under-rated in terms of his ball handling and especially his ball handling skills. For his size and position, Wilson has advanced ball handling abilities and dribbles with his head up making many no look passes off the dribble. In addition, he is extremely dangerous in the open court when he is isolated one on one with the opposing player.

In an early season game against Next Level Prep of Canada, Wilson was outstanding by scoring 15 points going 5-10 from the floor and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. In addition, he collected 5 rebounds and had 1 steal, block and assist for a solid all around game. In the game against Atlantic Shores, Wilson finished with 19 points going 7-8 from the floor and 5-5 from the free throw line. In that one game alone, Wilson had a career high six dunks in the game. However, his game against Memphis Craigmont is a good example of his numbers this season when he scored 5 points going 2-5 from the floor, but collected 5 rebounds, 5 steals and even dished out 4 assists or better yet his game against Galax HS where he had 16 points going 6-7 from the floor including 4-4 from the free throw line. In that game, he also collected 7 rebounds, 4 steals and had 5 assists. To put it simply, he makes the most use of his time on the court and tries extremely hard to do things other than score which is a testament to him as a player.

Wilson is a long and bouncy athletic WF that loves to get out in transition where he can utilize his speed, quickness and leaping ability. Without question Wilson has enjoyed some of the best “mix tape” dunks for the Warriors. He is aggressive in attacking the basket and has an extremely quick first step. While Wilson has not enjoyed the number of minutes this season has the season prior, he has no complaints. He has handled the transition with style and grace and said “he has nothing to complain about. The team is winning and that is what it is all about.” Asked what he liked about this year’s team, he was quick to point out “this is the goofiest team he has ever been associated it. While the practice sessions are intense, serious and sometimes confrontational, we are all clowns off the court.” Without question, you can sense a certain degree of togetherness on this year’s team and can see why so many Oak Hill fans say this is their favorite Oak Hill team in quite some time. In addition, when I ask a lot of the kids on the team one of their favorite players, Damien Wilson is always in the mix and one player stated “Damien is one of the nicest players you will ever meet.”

There is an old saying “success in the affairs of life often serves to hide one’s abilities, whereas adversity frequently gives one an opportunity to discover them.” For Damien Wilson, he has done just that and has learned a lot of life lessons during his tenure at Oak Hill. Damien Wilson has learned to be a great teammate. He is not jealous or envious of other people’s success and he has a quiet humbleness that is impressive. Wilson is always one of the first players off the bench to clap, cheer and congratulate a teammate for doing well. In addition, after every game Wilson is always one of the first players to come up to me and say “thanks for coming and appreciate your support.”

Damien Wilson long term goals are to get a degree from University of Memphis as communication arts major and someday become a sports announcer. In the meantime, his game is built for college and should flourish in the up tempo system at Memphis. One thing is for certain, the lessons he has learned at Oak Hill will pay huge dividends once he steps onto the campus at Memphis. I have no doubt Wilson will be solid contributor, but even yet he will be a better teammate.

September 2011 Issue
Player: 6’6 Damien Wilson
High School: Oak Hill Academy
Hometown: Austell, GA
Class: 2012
Verbal: Memphis
Phenom Hoop Report: Wilson is a long and bouncy wing guard that loves to get out in transition. The southpaw is excellent in attacking the basket and sports a “wicked” right to left crossover dribble. Without question, one of the top “slashers” in the 2012 class and is very difficult to contain in transition. He has smoothness to his game and often plays bigger than his current 6’6 frame. He anticipates missed shots and rebounds extremely well, especially on the defensive end of the floor. The next step in his development is to develop a consistent outside jumper. He does have a “low release” point at times, but was knocking down mid range shots well in shooting drills. He should be a great addition to Memphis.

November 2011 Issue
Comment: Wilson was saddled with a foot injury earlier in the season and has also sat out a game due to discipline reasons. That being said, “Dr. Dunk” has averaged 6.7 shot per game and has gone 28-54 from the floor for 52%. In addition, he has been stellar from the free throw line going 12-14 for 86%.  Wilson is explosive in the open court and has a burst of speed that is second to none.