Mwani Wilkinson (196-G-2002, college: Little Rock) is a 24 year old 196cm guard from Las Vegas playing his rookie season overseas with HEFTE HELFEN Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-BSL). He began his basketball career with Bishop Gorman High School and then played at Louisiana State (NCAA) from 2020-2024 playing a total of 100 NCAA games and then added a season at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (NCAA) averaging 13.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.7spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 86.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against German team MBC Weissenfels.

Thanks Mwani for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season overseas with HEFTE HELFEN Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-BSL). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the organization?

It’s been a very welcoming experience. The thing I have enjoyed the most about the organization so far is being part such a winning culture. It’s feels great to put in hard work w my peers and it feels even better when that hard work results in success for us as a whole.

You hail from Las Vegas and now live in the beautiful Austria. How have you taken in the beauty of Austria and it´s culture? What have you enjoyed most about it?

It’s nice. I really enjoy the scenery of nature here. Kapfenberg, specifically is a very laid back town. So having this calm and easy way of living is what I ahve enjoyed the most.

How cool was it winning that first pro chip with the Super Cup? What did you enjoy most about that first pro title?

It was a great experience!! I enjoyed how we stayed together as a team for the whole 40 minutes to come out successful in the end.

There are quite a few veterans on the team like Zaccheus Darko-Kelly. Has he been like a mentor for you? How has he helped you most with all on and off the court?

Yes from him I got to understand more of the importance of taking care of your body and also understand subtle differences between European and American styles of play.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I’m not sure. I don’t believe much in comparing myself to others but my favorite player is Paul George!!

Your 2 uncles ´Sam and Willie played in the NBA before you were born. Have they had an influence on your game?

Yes. Knowing that they were both very good shooters helped me develop my confidence as a shooter.

Let´s talk about your offensive game. You can score, rebound and hit the three. What other strengths does your game possess?

I’d say one strength my game possesses is being able to have a feel for the game and then applying my skills where I see it’s necessary for that moment without force.

Your also known as a defense first type of player. Do you want to become a 2 way player?

Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a threat on both sides of the ball.

Your are known as a very good perimeter defender. Where do you currently see your defensive game and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I see my defensive game as solid but still has a lot much more room for improvement. I love defense and aspire to be a go to defender at the highest level possible.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

Being a more versatile offensive threat and acquiring more skills as a guard.

You played at Louisiana State University (NCAA) from 2021-2025, but never averaged more than 4,0ppg. How do you remember these years. What kind of player did you become there? You experienced a coaching change.

These years were very important for me to develop my ability to persevere through adversity. I enjoyed my time at LSU very much but I went through a lot of things that helped me become an even stronger person than I was before physically and character wise.

You played against NCAA powerhouse Kentucky so many times and even beat them twice. Is there a game that you never forgot playing them?

Yes in the 2021-22 season when we played Kentucky at home. I will always remember that game because the atmosphere was so lively and i got to play against an old AAU teammate Tyty Washington.

You then had your break out season against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (NCAA) averaging 13.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.7spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 86.0%. How valuable was this season for your game. How did you grow as a player?

This season was very valuable to my development as a basketball player. It allowed me to get the reps and build my confidence through volume.

You played for the great Darrell Walker that played in the NBA and coached in the NBA. How did he groom and prepare you best for a pro career? Did some of his defensive qualities rub off on you?

His coaching style helped prepare me for the pros because he still used the same formulas and methods for us that he used when he was a coach in the NBA.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jordan Jefferson?

We never really played against each other!!

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Franz Wagner

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Tari Eason, Jaden Hardy, Julian Strawther, Javonte Smart, Cam Thomas

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Magic, Jordan, Lebron, KD, Kareem

Who is your GOAT?

Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldnßt they have left it alone?

I did not but they should have left it alone!

Thanks Mwani for the chat.