Recruiting report: Allen Wilson (2017)
COLUMBIA — The 2016 season might have ended in disappointment for the SLUH Junior Bills, but the future is bright for head coach Erwin Claggert as the squad returns several underclassmen. Leading the way might be 2017 big man Allen…
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Continue ReadingCOLUMBIA — The 2016 season might have ended in disappointment for the SLUH Junior Bills, but the future is bright for head coach Erwin Claggert as the squad returns several underclassmen.
Leading the way might be 2017 big man Allen (BJ) Wilson who started to come into his his own late in the season. At 6-foot-7, 240-pounds, Wilson is a strong post player with a soft shooting touch around the basket.
He averaged 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, shot 56 percent from the field and helped lead SLUH to its second Class 5 Final Four appearance in as many years.
Also a standout on the football field, Wilson said University of Northern Iowa has shown interest in both sports, and the Purdue and Navy football programs have also shown interest. Wilson said his game this season has mostly been about being a presence in the paint at both ends of the floor.
“Most of the season I have tried to be a presence in the paint and try to alter shots even if I don’t always block it and making sure it is hard for the other team to finish,” Wilson said. “I have added more of a scoring role this season.”
“He really anchors our defense, he usually guards the opposing teams best post player and does a good job and recently he has been putting it in the basket a little better for us,” SLUH head coach Erwin Claggert said.
Wilson has played his summer basketball with the St. Louis Eagles and said that experience has helped his game grow.
“It was really good because since my freshman year we have been playing against centers that are way bigger than us — against 7-footers and it just helps you gain confidence against the normal players you see in high school,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he hopes to increase his scoring ability as he eyes his senior season and perhaps even beyond.
“”I think I have to increase my scoring and get a pattened move because sometimes I post up and score, but I don’t really have a move that I use constantly,” he said.