Dwight Wilson III is known as a prolific rebounder for Ohio, but there’s more to the 6-foot-8 forward than basketball. The Post sat down with Wilson to discuss music, influences and more.
The Post: If you weren’t a basketball player, what would you be?
Dwight Wilson III: Maybe something with music? Something like that, maybe a producer.
TP: So you wouldn’t be in the (Marching) 110?
Wilson III: The Band? Nah.
TP: You’re a more digital guy.
Wilson III: Yes.
TP: What kind of music do you usually listen to?
Wilson III: (Rap music in the background) A little bit of everything. My library goes all over the place. Recently, a lot of this stuff and hip hop and R&B type stuff.
TP: Do you have a favorite hip hop or R&B artist?
Wilson III: It varies from time to time. As of right now, I’d probably say Dr. Dre.
TP: I like Dre, too.
Wilson III: Yeah.
TP: What are three things that you can’t live without?
Wilson III: God, my family and hm… can’t live without… chicken.
TP: Chicken?
Wilson III: (Laughs) Yeah.
TP: A specific kind or?
Wilson III: I’d say fried, but we’re in season, but I’m going to have to go with grilled for now.
TP: Have you ever been to Miller’s Chicken?
Wilson III: Yes.
TP: Is that like your go to spot in Athens?
Wilson III: Either that or KFC. Sometimes I’ll go to Popeyes.
TP: You mentioned God and I looked at your Twitter and saw that you are pretty vocal about your faith. Is that something you carry with you in all aspects of life?
Wilson III: Yeah, especially last year. Him showing me what he needed to show me, that things aren’t always going to go your way and that everything happens for a reason. So, staying close to Him I know that no matter what happens I’ll always be good.
TP: You had a little bit of downtime last year, did you pick up any new hobbies?
Wilson III: Surprisingly no, really, because I was still thinking (of) watching film or doing rehab. I know it looked like I had downtime, but I was just as busy, if not more, than the guys who were playing, which is crazy when you think about it.
TP: Yeah, and outside of basketball, do you have any hobbies in general?
Wilson III: (Smiles) I’m learning to play the keyboard.
TP: The keyboard! What songs do you know so far?
Wilson III: Right now I’m learning “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” by 2Pac. I’m about halfway through it.
TP: Has hip hop music influenced your life in any way?
Wilson III: A little bit, just from a place where it keeps me centered and I can just zone out, decompress and stuff like that.
TP: I totally get it. What’s your pregame pump-up song?
Wilson III: Probably the song by Nardo Wick, the one “Who Want Smoke??” It really depends on the game. I play “Ambitionz Az A Ridah” by 2Pac sometimes or I will play an Eminem song like “The Way I Am.” It really varies from game to game.
TP: OK, OK, so you’re from Florida, right?
Wilson III: Mhm.
TP: Do you have any favorite beaches?
Wilson III: Beaches? Probably Jacksonville.
TP: Are you a Jaguars fan?
Wilson III: Nah, I don’t really pay attention to football like that (laughs).
TP: That’s fair. Do you have any major influences on your life?
Wilson III: My mom and my grandpa (are) two of the hardest working people I’ve ever known and it influences me to work hard.
