Gary's story is one you have heard of many times before. A young kid, truly lost in most every way who came to find God in his life. Once he did and allowed the Lord to "call the plays", true miracles began to happen. Through this page some of Gary's and his wife, Jess' thoughts will be shared. Anything Gospel related, or parenting, from humor and personal struggles, current events to blasts from the past. Join The Wilkinson's on their journey to become better, more Christ-like and accompany them in their hopes of doing some good and spreading a little sunshine.
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| photo by Getty |
"Gary Kristopher Wilkinson was born Oct. 2nd 1982; he was raised in South Jordan, Utah-USA. Wilkinson experienced a very happy childhood in Utah. Though his parents would later divorce, he always felt loved and supported by his family. Even so, Gary turned to a path of self destruction and drug addiction while in his youth, making decisions that would surely put him on a path to nowhere. One of which included the decision to drop out of High-School. At the age of 18, one of Gary’s friends unfortunately took his own life. In light of the events surrounding his friend’s suicide, Wilkinson took a step back to examine his own life. At this time he started to ask himself the questions that would eventually prompt him to change: Was he becoming a person that could look in the mirror and be proud of himself? Where would the life that he was living going to lead him?
In the midst of these questions, missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came to his door. Gary listened to what they had to say and that is when he saw his life truly began to take shape.
–He was baptized and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January of 2001
-He then served a mission from 2003-2005 in Canada, Calgary.
-Upon returning home, he sought to play basketball at the collegiate level. Never having played high school basketball, he realized that this would be a great challenge. Undaunted, he tried out with the Salt Lake Community College Bruins and was offered a full ride scholarship on the spot.
-There he met, his beautiful wife Jessica (Petersen) who was playing on the Bruin volleyball & basketball teams.
-Within the two years spent studying at SLCC, Gary was an Athletic and Academic All-American both years, which opened the door for various scholarship opportunities. Gary and Jessica decided to both accept scholarships to Utah State University and continue their collegiate sport careers.
- While there, Gary enjoyed two stellar years both on the court and in the class room. He scored over 1,000 points in just two seasons and was named an AP All-American, WAC Player of the year, and tournament MVP, among many other awards. After graduating from Utah State with Magna Cum Laude honors, Wilkinson went on to pursue his dream and play professional basketball.
-With the help of the Lord, Wilkinson has been blessed to play professional basketball in the NBA Summer league with the Utah Jazz as well as overseas in: South Korea, Greece, Estonia, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand, experiencing great successes all along the way. Some of which include being awarded Australian NBL All-first team honors, being a 2-Time ANBL Grand Final Champion, winning the 2013 Estonian league Champion and being named Estonian league player of the year.
Though Gary Wilkinson has been grateful to have so much success professionally, he will tell you that his faith and his family are easily the things that he treasures most. Some of the callings within his church that Wilkinson has enjoyed since his conversion to the include; Ward mission leader, Ward missionary, Primary & Sunday school teacher, Elder’s quorum teacher and most recently 2nd counselor in the Elders quorum presidency. Apart from turning his life around and making the pivotal decision to COME UNTO CHRIST, Wilkinson considers his wife Jessica, as well as his two beautiful children, Jordan & Eva, to be his greatest joy and achievement. When the time comes for Gary to retire from the game of basketball, He plans to pursue an education in Law and hopes to someday become a judge."
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