Wilkinson Set for NBA Summer League

It was a quick trip and even quicker decision.

Wes Wilkinson had little time to prepare himself for the events of the past week. The Grand Island native said that he had only a few days' notice before heading out for his second workout with an NBA club.

"It came about really quick," Wilkinson said Thursday. "I talked to my agent and he said that Boston wanted me to come and workout. That was four days before I was supposed to be there."

Once there, Wilkinson's skill and size -- he's 6-10, 225 pounds and finished his college career ranked in Nebraska's career top 10 for 3-point percentage and blocked shots -- were enough to give the Celtics a reason to want to see more of him in action. It took Wilkinson only seconds to say yes to the Boston Celtics' offer to play on their summer league team.

To Wilkinson, it was a no-brainer.  

"I went out there and was in the middle of the workout (earlier this week)," Wilkinson said, "and Danny Ainge came over and told me that they had a spot for me on their summer league team if I wanted it."

Wilkinson was a local star on the prep level who was rated one of the top 70 players nationally coming out of high school. He led Nebraska in scoring as a senior and helped the Huskers to at least 18 wins and a postseason appearance in two of his final three years.

For nearly 10 years, everything in his life has revolved around basketball and this was a chance for Wilkinson to try to make an impression and find a spot on a team at the highest level.

"It was really amazing," Wilkinson added. "When you have Danny Ainge come over and give you a shot to get your foot in the door at the pro level, that's about all you can ask for."

While many players, including four from the Big 12 Conference, were sitting tight Wednesday night waiting to here their name called during the NBA Draft on television, Wilkinson was making his way back to Nebraska. He worked out Thursday at the DevaneyCenter and will continue his private workouts until Sunday when he takes off for Boston.

Once in Beantown, Wilkinson will go through a mini training camp until Thursday when the team leaves for the Toshiba Vegas Summer League, where the Celtics open play against the Dallas Mavericks' summer squad on Saturday, July 8.

The Celtics' summer squad roster has not been released yet, but last year's team included NBA players Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Delante West, Tony Allen and Kendrick Perkins, along with a number of players looking to latch on with Boston.

While Wilkinson's future is still unclear, his ambitions are in plain sight.

"It's a blessing to get this kind of opportunity," Wilkinson said. "It's a chance to try to make the next level."

And that's all he ever wanted -- a chance.