Jordin Wilkinson, who played most recently for the Quest University Kermodes, will trade in her green jersey for the black and orange of the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack come September. (submitted photo/Jordin Wilkinson)

By Martin Martinson

Hoops and hardwood

Local basketball player commits to Thompson Rivers

Jul 23, 2019 | 11:39 AM

If you do what you love, all the hours of hard work don’t feel so much like work.

For local basketball player Jordin Wilkinson, the journey to where she is now, committed to the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack this fall, has come after countless hours spent on the hardwood honing her skills and practicing her jump shot.

Now 22, Wilkinson attended her first basketball camp when she was just five-years-old, and by age eight, was already traveling to Saskatoon two or three times a week to play in the city’s basketball league.

“Basketball has always been my number one sport and passion,” she said. “Part of it is that my parents got me into it; they love basketball as well, so it was something I got to do with my family. I [also] like the aggressive play, the physicality of it, and the mental aspect behind it all.”

Wilkinson, pictured here in action with Quest University, lets a jump shot go over the onrushing defender. (submitted photo/Jordin Wilkinson)

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Wilkinson played her high school career at North Battleford Comprehensive High School, helping lead the team to provincials three out of four years, highlighted by a silver medal at HOOPLA her freshman season.

After graduation, she then moved to Squamish, B.C. where she played three years with the Quest University Kermodes, including a rookie campaign that saw her pick up Pack West Rookie of the Year honours, helping lead her team to the bronze medal.

Following her third year with the program, however, the university announced it would cut all varsity athletics, meaning Wilkinson’s commitment comes after a year away from the game.

She said the chance to get back on the hardwood is one she’s very much looking forward to, especially in joining a youthful Wolfpack with promise for the season ahead.

“Signing with Thompson Rivers and just having the opportunity to keep playing again is very exciting for me and my family,” she said. “I have always been kind of the commander on the court [playing] mostly point guard, and shooting guard [and] I’ have always had kind of a leadership role. Now, even though I’m going to a new team, I am one of the older, more experienced players so my coaches expect me to bring that too.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1