Driving toward a goal

Harmony Grove player hoping stop at Florida prep academy will lead to Division I

Drake Wilks, left, starts a dribble drive around a defender during a game from Wilks’ senior season at Benton Harmony Grove High School. Wilks, who stands 6-5, hopes  to draw attention from some major college programs by furthering his basketball skills at Elev8 Prep Academy in Florida. He will leave for Elev8 on Friday.
Drake Wilks, left, starts a dribble drive around a defender during a game from Wilks’ senior season at Benton Harmony Grove High School. Wilks, who stands 6-5, hopes to draw attention from some major college programs by furthering his basketball skills at Elev8 Prep Academy in Florida. He will leave for Elev8 on Friday.

Drake Wilks stands at 6 feet 5 inches. Although he used that to his advantage, the former Benton Harmony Grove basketball phenom is more than just a big-bodied teenager who wins with height. Wilks plays at guard — a position normally dominated by some of the shorter players on a team.

A facilitator and smooth shooter, Wilks has always been at his best in the 1 or 2 position — point or shooting guard. His agility, vision and quick release are all part of a guard’s repertoire. Now Wilks has set his sights on the Elev8 Prep Academy in Florida to raise his recruiting stock.

Wilks had been in contact with some Division I college teams as his high school career came to an end. He has not committed to a school, but instead looks to the Florida prep academy to help him gain an edge over other college freshmen. Wilks believes that in Florida, he will have an opportunity to perform in front of more talent evaluators and garner interest from more Division I teams.

Wilks also hopes he will grow a few more inches in the coming years. He has also been working to put on weight this summer by doing weight training and trying to eat more.

“I am really hitting the weights hard,” Wilks said. “I am trying to put on 10 to 15 pounds before the fall.”

Wilks plays big on the court, and his frame will support more weight, but his previous training regimen didn’t rely on time in the weight room. Instead, he had opted for on-the-court workouts.

“The best practice for me is playing in a game,” Wilks said. “I play a lot of pickup games throughout the week.”

Wilks keeps to himself and is somewhat shy. His comfort zone is on the court, where he transforms into a different person. Wilks’ mom said she is often surprised by the dichotomy — his off-the-court shyness as compared to his outspoken on-court demeanor.

“Even though I don’t talk much outside of the gym, when it’s just my players, I’m more comfortable around them,” Wilks said. “I always call out the plays; they listen to me because I’m the point guard and I’m bringing the ball up. They kind of feed off my energy. If I’m up, they’re up. If I’m down, they’re down.”

The tools at Wilks’ disposal aren’t all physical. Passion, a work ethic and intelligence all shine through on his game tapes. His decision-making skills give him the ability to create plays off the dribble, and his knowledge of opposing defenses allows him to expose weaknesses. Whether Wilks is passing or attacking the basket, his team stays in the correct scheme, with him at the helm.

“I think it is instinct,” Wilks said. “I have always played that way. I am a totally different person on the court. I try to be in control and dictate what happens. I lead by example everywhere I go.”

Not a newfound pursuit, Wilks has had passion for the game since he was a toddler.

“I have loved basketball ever since I was old enough to walk and hold the ball,” Wilks said. “I have pictures [of me] in my diaper shooting at my basketball goal.”

When he’s not breaking down opponents in the confines of a gym, Wilks is an outdoorsman. He lists fishing, frog-gigging, mud-riding and working on his truck as his main hobbies. He carries himself humbly, careful not to sound cocky. His faith and his family have always been driving forces in his success on and off the court. Dexter Hendrix, Wilks’ coach at Benton Harmony Grove High School, has given Wilks the insight to improve his game, as well as general knowledge of the game.

“The person who has inspired me the most and showed me what the game is all about is Coach Hendrix,” Wilks said, “and I can’t thank him enough. He taught me to have confidence in my shot.”

Wilks’ shooting is one of the strongest aspects of his game. The release is fluid and sudden, a byproduct of that confidence he mentioned. However, he doesn’t see the game as individual mechanics. He admires players based on a body of work, the entire array of skills they possess.

“I’ve never admired anybody’s shot, just their game itself,” Wilks said. “I’ve never had a shooting coach; I taught myself. I have had some help from others, just to give me a few pointers.”

Wilks plans to have a career in basketball, regardless of whether he is a player or a coach.

“I plan to major in physical education and get my master’s so I can coach in college,” Wilks said.

Wilks may not be the first to sing his own praises, but postgrad head coach Chad Myers at Elev8 believes Wilks will make an impact at the academy and in college. Wilks will leave for the camp Friday.

“His potential is very high because of his size, athletic ability and work ethic,” Myers said. “He is without a doubt a [Division I] basketball player, and his ability will increase throughout the year.”

The academy will give Wilks an opportunity to

exhibit his skills in front of college scouts as the team travels to play across the country and compete against other prep schools. Players at small schools often struggle to garner attention because of limited publicity, and Wilks believes the attention he will gain will directly benefit him.

“I think it is an opportunity of a lifetime, coming from a small school,” Wilks said. “I think it’s amazing exposure, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Staff writer Morgan Acuff can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or macuff@arkansasonline.com.

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