Barnsdall's Derek Wilson: Bartlesville Area Boys Basketball Player of the Month – Presented by Oklahoma Air National Guard

Bartlesville Area Boys Basketball Player of the Month – Presented by Oklahoma Air National Guard

Derek Wilson – Barnsdall, 35,211 votes

Ty Hagan – WACHA, 30,854 votes

Christian Warford – Barnsdall, 5,125 votes

Kohlsyn Gibson – Oklahoma Union, 1,976 votes

Other athletes receiving votes include Evan Frye – Pawhuska, Cristian Colbert – Caney Valley, Jaylin Oliver – Bartlesville, Tayo Dina – Bartlesville, and Hayden Thornton – Dewey. 

Derek Wilson – Barnsdall

The Barnsdall Panthers have had a fantastic season so far. Derek Wilson, point guard for the team, has played basketball for over a decade. His love of the sport arose from finding something to do with his brothers.

“There wasn’t a lot to do in such a small town so me and my older brothers would always go outside and play basketball when we were little, so that first started my passion for basketball,” he said.

On a similar note, being able to travel for games and compete against other schools is one of Wilson’s favorite things about playing basketball for his high school. 

“I’ve lived in Barnsdall my whole life so it’s nice to go out and compete with my friends that I’ve grown up with my whole life,” he said. 

The senior is also involved in National Honor Society, FCCLA, and Leo Club. On his basketball team he has been a captain since his sophomore year. Because of this, he aims to be a good leader on the court.

“I’ve been a team captain since my sophomore year with pretty much the same group of guys so I know they look up to me and I have to set the example of how to be a good teammate and leader,” he said.

Two people he has looked up to as examples are his older brothers. 

“My two biggest role models would be my older brothers Tyler, and Spencer Wilson,” he said. “They also pushed me and never took it easy on me when I was younger. When they were in high school I would go to every one of there games and I wanted to be just like them.”

Wilson has learned to work hard over the years, something he applies on the court.

“Basketball has taught me that nothing in life comes easy, and if you put in the work that the results will come,” he said.

After high school Wilson’s plans include finding the right college to study finance while continuing his basketball career.