By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
RIVA SAN VITALE, Switzerland – Anacia Wilkinson proved to be one of the top defensive players in Tennessee Tech women's basketball history.
Now Wilkinson will get the opportunity to showcase her talents on the international level as she signed to play with Riva Basket in Switzerland's SB League Women.
"I am very excited," Wilkinson said. "I'm just blessed that I can keep doing the thing that I love."
Tech women's basketball head coach Kim Rosamond felt the same way – after all Wilkinson had been an important piece of the team's foundation in recent years.
"Proud and ecstatic would best describe how I felt when Naci called to tell us she had signed a pro contract," Rosamond said. "There is nothing like getting to watch your players make their dreams become reality."
The Houston native jumped from Texas to Tennessee and put her own mark on the Golden Eagle record book as Wilkinson recorded 202 career blocks, including a single-season best 92 during the 2018-19 campaign. She twice tied the school-record with nine blocks in a single game, completing the feat against Tennessee State on January 16, 2019, then again on Jan. 4, 2020 against Morehead State. Renay Adams also had nine against TSU in 1991.
Her 92 blocked shots in 2018-19 shattered the single-season mark, with Kayla Brewer's 61 blocks in 2013-14 eclipsed by a wide margin. By the time her junior campaign ended, she was already second in the career charts in the category, first in per-game average. She surpassed Tech Hall of Famer Melinda Clayton's career mark of 194 to become Tech's all-time leader on Feb. 22 against Southeast Missouri.
"My goal was to leave a mark," Wilkinson said, "not a small one, but one that will be remembered forever and now until someone breaks that shot-blocking record."
Wilkinson scored 615 points in her career, shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 64.1 percent from the charity stripe. She averaged 6.0 points per game, including a 7.9 ppg average as a junior. With her long wingspan, she was a natural on ball control, collecting 504 rebounds – including 149 offensive boards and 355 defensive caroms. Wilkinson also contributed 67 assists and 45 steals. She also finished her Tech career with six double-doubles.
In the Ohio Valley Conference record book, Wilkinson ranks sixth in career blocks, trailing Sally McCabe (291; Belmont 2014-18), Brittany Pittman (287; Morehead State, 2007-09), Brooke Todd (264; Morehead State, 2014-18), Gerlonda Hardin (223; Austin Peay, 2000-04) and Tasha Gales (205; Morehead State, 1999-2003). The 92 blocks stands as the sixth best season in conference history, behind Pittman's 164 in 2008-09.
Wilkinson's efforts helped the Golden Eagles put together the third-best turnaround in Division I basketball in the 2018-19 campaign, then continued to provide veteran leadership this past season as Tech put together consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the conclusion of the 2005-06 campaign and its second-straight appearance in the OVC tournament.
"Naci has played a huge part in our success over the last two seasons, and I am so excited to watch her next chapter as a professional player," Rosamond said. "Her growth over the last four years has been a credit to her determination, hard work and relentless spirit. She overcame many challenges to leave her mark on this program as well as in the record books, and I know she will continue to make an impact on the next level."
It will her first time overseas and the opportunity leaves her excited about what's next.
"I'm looking forward to experiencing the different culture," she said, "getting to try new foods and traveling to the different cities in Switzerland and Italy."
Her reaction when the offer came?
"I was so excited and happy," she said. "The first question in my head was, 'When do I have to leave?' I knew it would be soon, but not as soon as my contract says."
It doesn't seem that long that the Tech women's team wrapped up the 2019-20 campaign and Wilkinson wrap up her Tech career. Those years with the Golden Eagles and the time after helped prepare her for this next chapter.
"After the season, I took a break," she said. "With COVID-19, it was hard for a lot of athletes to find a way to work out, but when things started opening back up, I was able to get in the gym, back on the court and lifting weights. It was almost like I had never left Tech.
"I was working out, working hard and just really kept myself busy. Tech kept me busy with school, workouts, community service and other things we had to do. I feel like it really prepared me for my next chapter. It's the same situation, just with a different atmosphere, different team and different league."
