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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The NCAA has granted UTSA senior Larry Wilkins a sixth year of eligibility for the 2012-13 season after approving an extension of eligibility waiver this week.
Wilkins, a San Antonio Madison High School product, tore his right Achilles tendon on July 31, 2011, during a practice while the Roadrunners were preparing for their exhibition tour of Australia. He underwent surgery to repair the tendon on August 2 and recently was cleared to practice by UTSA’s medical staff.
“It’s a great feeling to get my senior year back,” Wilkins said. “I just want to thank everyone who had a hand in making this possible, from the NCAA for approving the waiver to UTSA’s administration for the hard work they put in on the paperwork to my coaches, teammates and training staff for all the support they gave me.
“It was tough not trying to think too much about things while I was waiting to find out if I would get that year back, but it was definitely worth the wait. I’m just going to stay humble, keep working hard and prepare myself to get back to 100 percent for next season. I’m so happy I can’t even really describe it.”
Wilkins transferred to UTSA from Midland College and redshirted during the 2009-10 campaign. He played in all 34 games with 18 starts at center for UTSA in 2010-11, helping lead the Roadrunners to a 20-14 record, the Southland Conference Tournament Championship and the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating Alabama State in the NCAA First Four for the school’s first NCAA postseason victory in any sport. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game and shot 60.2 percent (53-of-88) from the field, which ranks seventh on UTSA single-season field goal percentage list. During the last nine games of his junior year, Wilkins posted 6.8 points and 6.8 boards per contest to help the Birds to a 7-2 record during that stretch.