By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
Instead of testing the free-agent waters, Damien Wilkins has decided to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The five-year NBA veteran exercised his contract option for the 2009-10 season. Wilkins is due $3.3 million this season.
The Washington native averaged 5.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.5 steals per game last year, all career-lows. It came one year after the 6-6, 225-pound guard/forward posted career-highs with 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Before deciding to return to the Thunder, Wilkins said he simply wants to be on the court. He played in just half of his team’s games last year.
“I’m just hoping to play; that’s all,” Wilkins said. “I just want to play basketball. I just want the opportunity to help a team be successful because I know I can do that.
“At the end of the day, I just want to be on the floor.”
Wilkins, who holds career-averages of 7.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 steals per game, could be traded at any point. He said several teams have shown interest.
Wilkins recently held his fifth annual “Fun Day” in Washington. He, along with event organizer Shena Locke, wanted to thank the organizations who sponsored the “Fun Day” and/or basketball camp.
“To all our volunteer helpers, our staff, to our fans and everyone who supported the camp and Fun Day, thank you,” Locke noted. “To our friends, families and loved ones, thank you.”
2009 DAMIEN WILKINS FOUNDATION
DONATIONS
Donators: Items
WALMART – (2) $20 gift cards
BELK’S – men’s cologne gift set
LOWE’S – iced team maker
GOLDEN CORRAL – seven lunch buffet cards
PIGGLY WIGGLY- $20 gift card
FOODLION- $25 gird card
PIZZA HUT- hot wings and pizza cards
CARON INTERNATIONAL- sweater machine, cool-corder and latch kit
DENNIS &SONYA NIXON- Mia Bella candles gift set
EXTREME ACTION PARK- 10 free passes
A &D WATERCARE- three cases of water
ELONA GRAY – one bike and three blue tooths
PEOPLE’S FAITH – bike
ANN’S FASHION- pearl necklace set
ANN’S HOME DAYCARE- teddy bear
ALBRITTON’S CLEAN UP- free car wash and cleaning
PAM’S HOUSE OF BEAUTY – free wash and set style
PLATINUM STYLES – three free hair wash and styles
US CELLULAR – Bam Bam toys
ST. CLAIRE TRUCKING – trailer stand
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB – tables.