HAMDEN — Anisha Wilson hears the criticism. She listens to people tell her she is too short. They question her jump shot. They say the University of Miami is too far away. They say she will ride the bench there and end up back home.

But Career’s 5-foot-5 senior point guard just brushes off the comments like she does a helpless defender on a drive to the basket.

“I don’t pay them no mind,” said Wilson, a short time before pouring in 16 points in a win over Hamden. “I just use it as motivation.”

Wilson certainly is playing inspired this season. She is averaging 19.7 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Panthers (13-1) who are ranked No. 6 in the Register Top 10 poll, despite losing two Division I players to graduation from last year’s Class LL championship team.

Wilson says her jump shot has improved, which complements her ability to slice through opposing defenses. She calls herself a smarter player this season and Career coach Kevin Walton says she has matured.

Wilson is clearly the Panthers’ top option and she loves the attention. She embraces the spotlight. She always has. And that’s why she chose to play at Miami next season.

Wilson drew interest from several Division I mid-majors, but wanted to play at an Atlantic Coast Conference or Big East Conference school. So when the Hurricanes came calling, Wilson didn’t think twice.

“To be in that situation, that atmosphere, it’s big,” Wilson said. “I love that situation, when you stand out. It’s what you live for.”

She is used to standing out. Since she picked up a basketball for the first time at the age of 5 up until eighth grade, Wilson played in boys’ recreational leagues. She thrived on the national showcase circuit when she suited up for the New York Gauchos, a nationally-renowned AAU program. And there are plenty of moments at Career which epitomize Wilson’s knack for flourishing on the big stage.

In a game against Stonington, Wilson, an unknown freshman at the time, came off the bench and drilled a pair of 3-pointers. She also dropped in a lay-up over Heather Buck, who is now red-shirting at UConn.

“That showed she was a big-time player,” Walton said.

Walton recalls a summer league game when Wilbur Cross senior Chantell Alford came down the court and hit a 3-pointer. Walton turned to a college coach sitting next to him and predicted Wilson would answer back. She did, knocking down a pull-up 3-pointer on Career’s next possession. And early this season, Wilson sank two game-winning free throws in a 52-50 victory over Mercy.

“Anisha plays relentless basketball,” Wilbur Cross coach Michelle Cabaldon said. “She’s the type of player that wants the ball at crucial moments in the game. She invites the challenge.”

Next year, she will have the opportunity to do so on college basketball’s elite level. A level that is much different from the one she is playing on now, and one where her exceptional first step and deceptive quickness is matched by most. There are also concerns on the defensive end for Wilson. The talent and competitiveness, though, is evident. Walton says it is a matter of focus and commitment.

“A lot of people have doubters,” Walton said. “But she uses the criticism to motivate her like a lot of great players do. There were doubters about Ilicia Mathis going to Hartford. Geary Claxton had doubters about going to Penn State and look how that turned out. There’s no question she can play at that level.”

Wilson is always willing to prove her critics wrong. Especially when the spotlight is shining.

Written by :

Rocky Bucano