Paulino Chooses Albany
Just now, Proctor Academy and The House We Built guard Wilkin Paulino announced his commitment to the University of Albany in the America East Conference.
A New Englander through and through, Paulino hails from one of Massachusetts’ largest cities, Worcester, and began his high school career at Springfield Commonwealth Academy before joining Proctor as a sophomore. His family originally hails from the Dominican Republic.
With standout performances early on, Paulino faced some adversity recently, suffering an injury that kept him out of the game for an extended time period. However, he made a strong return at the NEPSAC Showcase and in the HGSL with The House We Built.
In the HGSL, Paulino showcased his skills as a gritty two-way guard who, alongside Dam’nic Gittens, provided a spark in the backcourt. Paulino’s impressive size and strong frame at the guard position allow him to lock in defensively across 94 feet, often forcing turnovers. Offensively, his athleticism shines as he rises for highlight-reel dunks, powers through defenders in the lane, and creates shots off the dribble.
Paulino expressed gratitude to those who helped him along his journey: “I’d like to shout out Coach Ben at Proctor, and Coach Tishaun Jenkins who is now at Worcester North, and Coach Chan from The House We Built.”
Reflecting on his injury recovery, he shared, “Overcoming my injury was hard; my confidence took a big hit. But with support from my mom, grandma, friends, and a few coaches, I started to believe in myself again.” He acknowledged the mental challenge of recovery, noting, “The biggest thing that helped me overcome this injury was my mother. I knew that without a scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to attend college.”
He continued, “My mom’s dream was for me to become the first person in my family to attend college. That motivated me to work harder than ever before.” Paulino’s dedication has paid off, and he’ll soon become a first-generation college student.
On choosing Albany, Paulino mentioned how the coaching staff’s care and attention during his visit helped him feel confident in his decision: “I chose UAlbany because of the coaching staff and how well they treated my mom and me on the visit.”
With his senior season about to start, there’s plenty to look forward to for this future Great Dane.
Wilkin Paulino