Sonny Wilson leads the Rockets with 15.2 ppg and 3.3 apg this season.
Rocket Spotlight On Sonny Wilson
1/24/2025 9:16:00 AM | Men's Basketball
On playing basketball in Detroit, bowling and starting his own clothing business
Sonny Wilson is a sophomore guard from Pontiac, Mich. A business major, Wilson earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team last year and is leading the Rockets with 15.2 ppg and 3.3 apg this season.
On the type of game he has
I just play hard and physical. If you're not the biggest, most athletic guy on the court, you have to find different ways to impact the game in certain situations. Even though I can score the ball, I always look to get my teammates involved. If I'm not shooting well, I'm still going to play to my best of my abilities and get my team going, play hard on defense and just get every 50-50 ball I can.
On players he modeled his game after
I've watched Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook a lot. I just like how much energy they put into the game and how they impact a game in different ways. They can give their teams an assist, a rebound or just create a play for themselves.
On playing basketball in Detroit growing up
The competition is great. A lot of people underrate Michigan basketball, but playing in Detroit was physical. It's a different type of game. You just can't come in there and think it's going to be sweet. It's going to be hard and tough every day. At the end of the day, you play with a lot of grit and just play hard.
On being a good rebounder as a point guard
I think a lot of it comes down to instincts. A lot of people asked me when I was growing up how I got so many offensive rebounds. It's become a habit for me to just go and get them.
On his family's impact
I learned a lot from my older brother who played at Saginaw Valley. I was always around him in the gym. I learned from what he was doing on the court and what I could take to my game and how I could do things better. My parents always supported me too along with my granny. It was great see her at every game in the crowd growing up and she comes to a lot of my games here too. Not a lot of people can say their grandma is there watching them all the time.
On other sports played growing up
I started running cross country when I was in fifth grade. I actually feel like I should have kept running through high school, but it got a little too cold outside. I also had to go to basketball workouts too, so I was good. Cross country helped me a lot for sure with conditioning for AAU basketball because sometimes you might play four games in one day.
On how COVID got him interested in bowling
I like to go bowling. A lot of people are surprised when I say that, but I kind of got into bowling during COVID. My friends were just out just chilling one day and one of them said let's just go bowling. My two friends had their own balls and shoes and I have mine now too. I've become a lot better, and I try to bowl at least once a week in my free time.
On his connection with the coaching staff
The coaches have been great since day one when they started to recruit me. Coach K was the first person I talked. He was telling me everything about the program. Once I started building a relationship and coming here it just felt like home. They always preach about just getting into the gym and learning from the older guys. That's what I did. Coach Ingram tells me to be more of a leader every day and talk more. As a point guard, I need to do that and make sure my teammates hear me all the time.
On plans once his basketball career is over
I want to start a clothing business. That's why I'm majoring in business. I have a lot of friends who have their own stuff. I just ask them questions about how they've done it so that when I'm ready to open my business with clothes or maybe something else.
On the type of game he has
I just play hard and physical. If you're not the biggest, most athletic guy on the court, you have to find different ways to impact the game in certain situations. Even though I can score the ball, I always look to get my teammates involved. If I'm not shooting well, I'm still going to play to my best of my abilities and get my team going, play hard on defense and just get every 50-50 ball I can.
On players he modeled his game after
I've watched Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook a lot. I just like how much energy they put into the game and how they impact a game in different ways. They can give their teams an assist, a rebound or just create a play for themselves.
On playing basketball in Detroit growing up
The competition is great. A lot of people underrate Michigan basketball, but playing in Detroit was physical. It's a different type of game. You just can't come in there and think it's going to be sweet. It's going to be hard and tough every day. At the end of the day, you play with a lot of grit and just play hard.
On being a good rebounder as a point guard
I think a lot of it comes down to instincts. A lot of people asked me when I was growing up how I got so many offensive rebounds. It's become a habit for me to just go and get them.
On his family's impact
I learned a lot from my older brother who played at Saginaw Valley. I was always around him in the gym. I learned from what he was doing on the court and what I could take to my game and how I could do things better. My parents always supported me too along with my granny. It was great see her at every game in the crowd growing up and she comes to a lot of my games here too. Not a lot of people can say their grandma is there watching them all the time.
On other sports played growing up
I started running cross country when I was in fifth grade. I actually feel like I should have kept running through high school, but it got a little too cold outside. I also had to go to basketball workouts too, so I was good. Cross country helped me a lot for sure with conditioning for AAU basketball because sometimes you might play four games in one day.
On how COVID got him interested in bowling
I like to go bowling. A lot of people are surprised when I say that, but I kind of got into bowling during COVID. My friends were just out just chilling one day and one of them said let's just go bowling. My two friends had their own balls and shoes and I have mine now too. I've become a lot better, and I try to bowl at least once a week in my free time.
On his connection with the coaching staff
The coaches have been great since day one when they started to recruit me. Coach K was the first person I talked. He was telling me everything about the program. Once I started building a relationship and coming here it just felt like home. They always preach about just getting into the gym and learning from the older guys. That's what I did. Coach Ingram tells me to be more of a leader every day and talk more. As a point guard, I need to do that and make sure my teammates hear me all the time.
On plans once his basketball career is over
I want to start a clothing business. That's why I'm majoring in business. I have a lot of friends who have their own stuff. I just ask them questions about how they've done it so that when I'm ready to open my business with clothes or maybe something else.
Players Mentioned
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