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Eric Wilson came to Western as a walkon and, midway through his sophomore year (Jan. 5, 2006), was put on full scholarship by head coach Larry Hunter.
2005-06 (So.): After a career-best 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range versus Elon (2/18), improved to 41.4 percent shooting beyond the arc ... However was just 1-of-6 in the final three games of the season as his 3-point percentage dropped to .405, which still ranked seventh in the SoCon ... His 3-point shooting helped WCU set school record for 3-pointers made (221), attempted (625) and made per game (7.37), as well as the team tying or setting a WCU single-game record for 3-pointers made six times ... Started this season slow, making just two of his first 16 shots (.125) from the field overall ... In Western's 110-51 win over Atlanta Christian, entering the game with just 36 career points in 22 games, Wilson exploded for career highs in posting his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds ... Sank 6-of-9 shots from the field, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range, and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe ... Of his 10 rebounds, five were on the offensive end ... Added two assists and two steals in playing a then career-high 30 minutes ... Played a key role in the Catamounts defeating Montreat ... Scored 17 points, making a career-high 8-of-10 free throws ... Kept the strong play going in a win over UNC Asheville ... Was one of five Catamounts in double figures and started what would be a record run of 3-pointers by WCU, hitting a trey to score the first basket of the game ... Scored 11 points versus UNCA ... Was 3-of-6 beyond the arc as Western sank a then school-record 14 3-pointers on the night ... Versus The Citadel, scored 15 points, which was his career best against a league opponent, making 5-of-6 shots from the field, 1-of-1 from 3-point range and 4-of-5 at the charity stripe ... Added seven rebounds, tying for game-high honors, with four assists ... Only scored four points at UNC Greensboro, but two came at the free throw line with 43 seconds left to help secure the win ... Added five assits, tying a career high, and six rebounds, including four on the offensive end ... Made 2-of-5 shots, including 1-of-3 from 3-point range, in a win at Davidson ... Also sealed the win, ending Davidson's 19-game home winning streak, by making two free throws with 18 seconds left ... Added four rebounds, two assists and two steals ... Had one of his best games versus a SoCon opponent, scoring 14 points versus Elon (2/18) -- one shy of a career high in league play -- adding two rebounds, two assists and two steals ... Sank a key 3-pointer in overtime to help in the win ... His 4-of-6 from 3-point range were both career highs.
2004-05 (Fr.): Played in 17 games as a walkon ... A tough defender, he earned playing time due to his great attitude and hustle ... Also showed the ability to pass the ball to the post effectively ... Saw 10 minutes of action vs. Emmanuel and scored four points, all from the line ... Added two rebounds and an assist ... Made his first career field goal vs. Atlanta Christian, adding two free throws and pulling down three rebounds with one assist and one blocked shot ... Played nine minutes versus Wofford, getting a rebound and an assist ... Was called upon to guard one of the SoCon's top offensive threats (CofC's Tony Mitchell) and held him to just three second-half points and 12 total on 3-of-8 shooting ... Also was effective on offense at Charleston, playing 19 minutes and scoring seven points ... Drained a key 3-pointer late in the first half to stop a CofC run ... In the second half, hit a jumper to tie the game at 58 with seven minutes to play ... Once again played 19 minutes vs. App State, establishing career highs in rebounds (8) and assists (5) ... Pulled down a key late defensive rebound at Elon, although he missed the ensuing free throws when he was fouled with 36 seconds to go, WCU was still able to hold on for the win ... Drained a career-high pair of 3-pointers (in three attempts) versus Chatannoga.
Prior to Western: Was a runner-up for the North Carolina 2A Mr. Basketball Award and was a two-time Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year ... Named his school's Male Athlete of the Year, earned such lofty honors after averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game at Lincolnton High as a senior ... Also a northcarolina.ihigh.com 2A All-State selection ... Set a Lincolnton High record by scoring 1,917 career points ... A standout defensive end on his football team, he was named first team All-Gaston Gazette in football and basketball as a senior, while adding first team honors in basketball and second team honors in football as a junior ... Also, selected first team All-Gaston by the Charlotte Observer for his performance on the gridiron as a senior ... A three-time All-Midwest Athletic Conference selection in both basketball and football, averaged 23.1 points, seven rebounds and three assists as a junior ... Tabbed his team's MVP in both basketball and football as a senior, while being the basketball MVP as a junior and sophomore.
ERIC WILSON'S CAREER STATS
T O T A L 3-POINTERS R E B O U N D S
YEAR GP GS MIN AVG FG FGA PCT FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT OFF DEF TOT AVG PF FO AST TO BLK STL PTS AVG
2004-05 17 0 139 8.2 8 34 .235 4 12 .333 7 10 .700 9 14 23 1.4 27 1 10 11 2 4 27 1.6
2005-06 30 20 647 21.6 62 143 .434 30 74 .405 31 40 .775 31 50 81 2.7 98 6 39 37 1 20 185 6.2
TOTAL 47 20 786 16.7 70 177 .395 34 86 .395 38 50 .760 40 64 104 2.2 125 7 49 48 3 24 212 4.5
