Jeremiah Wilkinson Is Built for the Moment - And Georgia Basketball Is Better Because of It
Some players shy away from the spotlight. Jeremiah Wilkinson walks right into it, asks for the ball, and makes something happen. The Georgia sophomore guard isn’t just embracing pressure - he’s thriving in it.
Take Georgia’s SEC opener against Auburn on January 3. With the Bulldogs trailing 98-95 in overtime and the clock ticking under three minutes, Wilkinson didn’t blink.
He calmly knocked down a free throw, then buried back-to-back threes to flip the game on its head. Seven straight points, all his.
Final score: Georgia 104, Auburn 100. Wilkinson?
A career night - 31 points in 36 minutes, plus six rebounds. But more than the numbers, it was the moment - and how he owned it - that stood out.
“It's always going to be a special moment every time you make a play like that,” Wilkinson said afterward. “You’ve got to be ready for the negative that comes with it if you miss, along with the positive when you make it. I’m always going to have the confidence to take that shot if it comes down to it.”
That kind of mindset is rare, especially for a player still just a sophomore. But Wilkinson’s performance wasn’t just a one-off.
Eleven days later, he was at it again - this time against Ole Miss. Georgia stumbled out of the gate, falling behind 20-10.
Then Wilkinson caught fire. A three from the top of the key.
Another from the left wing. Then one more from the right to tie it at 26.
He hit five triples in the first half alone, helping the Bulldogs take a 40-35 lead into the break.
He finished with a season-high 32 points, plus four assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Georgia ended up on the wrong side of a 97-95 overtime heartbreaker - a buzzer-beating putback sealing the loss - but Wilkinson once again showed he’s the kind of player who can carry a team.
And this isn’t some midseason hot streak. Wilkinson’s been producing since day one.
After transferring from Cal, where he averaged 15.1 points per game as a freshman and earned ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors, he’s seamlessly stepped into a leading role for the Bulldogs. He’s scored 20 or more in eight games this season, opened his Georgia career with 15 points against Bellarmine, and dropped 22 in just his third game against Morehead State.
Heading into Georgia’s next matchup against Texas A&M, he leads the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game and is tied with Blue Cain for the team lead in steals with 35.
At Cal, Wilkinson made an immediate impact - double-digit scoring in 18 of 20 conference games, a career-high 36 points against Notre Dame, and a spot on the ACC All-Rookie team. But the decision to transfer wasn’t just about basketball. It was about family.
“Last year, my dad would take a same-day flight, flying up in the morning and flying back at night, to come to California to watch me play,” Wilkinson said. “He’s going to do it if he has to, but I’m trying to hold up my end of the bargain and make it all easier.”
Now back in his home state of Georgia - he’s from Powder Springs - Wilkinson is not only closer to family, he’s becoming a cornerstone for the Bulldogs. His game is maturing, his confidence is growing, and his impact is undeniable.
“I knew I had talent, but you never know where it can take you,” he said. “I didn’t know I was going to be sitting in this position this year after walking into college a year and a half ago. I’m just letting it evolve as it evolves.”
Right now, it’s evolving into something special. For Wilkinson.
For Georgia. And for anyone who loves watching a player embrace the moment and rise to meet it.