Wilkinson’s risk is rewarded

USC was in the midst of its preparations for UCLA last January when Trojans Coach Tim Floyd stopped practice to openly address sophomore Keith Wilkinson.

“I want you to know -- and everyone here -- that you’re going to be here for the rest of your career,” Floyd said.

The announcement elicited applause from Wilkinson’s teammates, who were happy to hear that the hard-working forward would be guaranteed a scholarship for his last two seasons.

A borderline major-college prospect out of Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley High, Wilkinson came to USC via a high-risk, high-reward gamble -- that his scholarship would be renewed each year only if he could demonstrate the ability to compete at college basketball’s highest level.

“Initially we said he needed to show us that he could play for Arizona,” Floyd said, referring to one of the Pacific 10 Conference’s preeminent programs. “What we found out is that he can just help our basketball team win and has done everything he has been asked to do, and he belongs here.”

Wilkinson’s statistics may not resemble those of an impact player -- he averaged only 1.7 points and 2.2 rebounds as a sophomore while playing in 33 games, including five starts. But he had several big moments, including clutch three-point baskets against Arizona and Washington State and a tip-in dunk against the Cougars.

His ability to help the Trojans run their offense without committing turnovers, a problem that plagued USC early last season, led to three consecutive starts for Wilkinson in December and prompted Floyd to make his practice proclamation.

Wilkinson’s gamble has paid off handsomely. The 6-foot-10 junior’s scholarship over his first three seasons is worth an estimated $136,126, including the $49,626 this academic year for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses.

“Once I graduate,” Wilkinson quipped, “maybe my dad can get me a nice car because I saved him at least four of them.”

The financial gains are only a fraction of the payoff for Wilkinson, who said he loves everything about USC and called his decision to be come a Trojan “the best choice of my life.”

Sophomore guard Ryan Wetherell returned to practice Tuesday after receiving five stitches for a cut above his left eye sustained during a collision with teammate Taj Gibson. . . . Renaldo Woolridge, a 6-7 senior forward from North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake and the son of former NBA star Orlando Woolridge, was scheduled to make an unofficial visit to USC today. He is also considering Tennessee and Georgetown.

ben.bolch@latimes.com