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At Charlotte: An A-10 all-Rookie choice, Wilderness made an instant impact with the 49ers. He has the physical strength to finish at the basket and the athleticism to slice through from the wings. Comfortable roaming the baseline, he likes to play around the basket and is an asset on the offensive boards. He has a good understanding of the game that allows him to play beyond his years.
2007-08 SEASON
8.1 ppg; 4.9 rpg; .482 FG%; .583 FT%; 27 steals
An impact freshman who enjoyed one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory, Wilderness was a staple in the starting lineup, was fourth on the team in scoring (8.1 points), third in rebounding (4.9 rebounds) and second in field goal pct. (.482) .... became the 49ers first A-10 all-Rookie choice ... he led the 49ers in offensive rebounds (86) and had more offensive boards than defensive (79) ... his 2.53 offensive rebounds ranked 5th in the A-10 ... he scored in double-figures 11 times with a career-high 21 points (9-of-13 FG) in the 49ers victory over Wake Forest ... five games of more than 15 points ... was a perfect 8-of-8 from the field in scoring 18 points at Richmond; 17 vs. both Fairleigh-Dickinson and Georgia Tech and 16 vs. George Washington ... had a career-high 11 rebounds vs. Rhode Island and four other games of at east eight rebounds ... had six steals in his college debut vs. High Point ... played over 30 minutes in 13 games ... named A-10 Rookie of the Week after scoring career-high 21 points with 6 rebounds vs. Wake Forest ... also landed ESPN's Top Play by converting an acrobatic, reverse lay-up against Wake Forest in which he spun 360 degrees while passing under the basket.
What a Night: Nov. 29, 2007
• 21 points in Win vs. Wake
• career-high on 9-of-13 FG
• ESPN's Top Play for a reverse, 360 spin layup
• A-10 Rookie of the Week
At Dunwoody H.S.:
A three-time AAA State Player of the Year in Georgia ... signed with the 49ers in 2005 before opting for prep school at the Patterson School in Lenior, N.C. ... re-signed with the 49ers in November, 2006 ... averaged 19.8 points and 11.7 rebounds to lead Dunwoody to its second straight Class 3A title ... four-time all-stater who finished as Dunwoody's all-time leading scorer with 2543 career points ... averaged 10.1 points and 10.8 rebounds as a junior as Dunwoody won the state title with a 29-1 record ... Wildcats went 106-18 in his four years ... ranked #82 by HoopScoop as a senior ... Clark Francis ranked him as the 17th-best 5th-year player while Bob Gibbons ranked him as a top 20 post-graduate prep player as well. Dave Telep of Scout.com ranked him as the #22 post-graduate player in the country.
Personal:
Born July 28, 1987 ... parents are Kimberly Hodges and Bernard Millard ... his father, Danny Wilderness, passed away ... university college major.
Wilderness Up Close:
An'Juan had an acrobatic 360 reverse layup vs. Wake Forest featured as the Top Play on ESPN's Top 10.
How cool was it to see yourself on ESPN's Top Plays:
Shocking. Phil was watching and called to tell me I was on ESPN. They showed #10 and started down, and I was like I know I won't be on here now -- you guys are playing with me. I got a lot of calls from back home and a lot of facebook messages. I love to do trick layups and reverse layups. I always have.
That was quite a game against Wake. Any special thoughts about playing at Bobcats Arena:
Just the atmosphere and the crowd. I looked back at the tape and saw how the whole stadium was cheering. It was great.
He was an A-10 All-Rookie choice:
What did the A-10 all-Rookie Team selection mean to you:
It was a good accomplishment for me. I didn't really know much about it -- it wasn't on my mind, but I was thankful and happy I did get it.
You didn't really look or play like a freshman. Did you feel like a freshman:
When I first started I was a little shaky. It was different. I was used to just playing my game but coach wants you to do this or be here. I learned how to play my role and once I got the hang of it everything came together.
Wilderness was the all-time leading scorer in Dunwoody High history, with 2543 career points.
Do you consider yourself a scorer:
Yeah, I do. I can score the ball.
How different was it to work in a role that was not targeted towards your own scoring:
It was different but I was able to adapt. I'm not a player who always wanted to score. If I have a hot night, I'd go about it. If I wasn't I'd do what I need to help the team win. I've always been more about helping the team than scoring.
Wilderness led the team in offensive boards:
I seem to know where the ball's coming off from and I'm strong enough to get in front of my defender.
Wilderness's Career Stats: Year G-S FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. O-Reb.-Avg. Pf-D A To Blk St Pts-Avg. 2007-08 34-32 92-191 .482 9-33 .273 84-144 .583 86-165- 4.9 83-2 39 78 3 27 277- 8.1 A-10 Stats Year G-S FG-A Pct. 3FG-A Pct. FT-A Pct. O-Reb.-Avg. Pf-D A To Blk St Pts-Avg. 2007-08 16-14 42-86 .488 6-17 .353 39-63 .619 36- 79- 4.9 37-2 21 32 2 6 12- 8.1
