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Wilkins ready for big evaluation period

On3 imageby:Tom Kakert•04/17/23•

HawkeyeReport

Caden Wilkins
Photo: Tom Kakert

Caden Wilkins is generally considered to the best basketball prospect in the state of Iowa in the Class of 2024. But, for whatever reason, the talented 6-6 wing from Bettendorf has yet to see his recruitment catch fire.

That blaze could be coming starting this coming weekend with the first AAU evaluation period for college coaches. Wilkins, who plays for the Iowa Barnstormers on the New Balance circuit, will be in St. Louis his weekend hoping that coaches make their way into the gym to watch him play.

“This is a huge time for me with only a few more AAU evaluation periods left,” Wilkins said. “It’s a big deal that coaches will be coming out to see me and I need to be mentally and physically prepared and play with confidence.”

It’s that confidence that really picked up during his junior year at Bettendorf. Wilkins became the clear best player in the Mississippi Athletic Conference, averaging 20 points and 10.5 rebounds this season on his way to earning Player of the Year honors and second team All State honors in his junior year.

“Towards the halfway point of the season I started shooting it better. We were in the hunt for the conference title and there were some teams I really wanted to beat. I think I played with a lot of confidence. I thought I was just really comfortable.”

That strong high school season has continued in early AAU events. This past weekend, Wilkins made 10-14 from three point range before sustaining a possible concussion on Saturday afternoon when his head hit the shoulder of an opposing player.

Wilkins said on Sunday that he felt fine and should be good to go this coming weekend when college coaches will be in the gym evaluating his performance. He says that Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, Clemson, Wake Forest, Indiana State, and Belmont have been in touch and asked for his April AAU schedule.

His lead recruiter for the Hawkeyes is assistant coach Matt Gatens. He was also his lead recruiter when Gatens was an assistant at Drake. His message has been very consistent in the process.

“He keeps telling me that I am high on their board and that they always focus on trying to keep the best players in the state of Iowa at home. He said they are going to keep watching and evaluating me,” Wilkins said.

While Iowa is recruiting him, Wilkins is also making sure to tell other coaches that the Hawkeyes haven’t offered and he’s open to other places.

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