LOGAN — By now, Gary Wilkinson's story has been told and retold dozens of times.
His tale of descent down a self-destructive path and subsequent journey to redemption has been published in Sports Illustrated, the New York Times and plenty of local media outlets.
Wilkinson's story starts with a troubled youth dropping out of high school and finding a direction and purpose in life only after a close friend took his own via suicide.
His journey has led him to the point where he needs only 21 points to pass the 1,000-point plateau, joining 32 other former Aggie players.
When he reaches 1,000 points, he'll be one of only eight two-season Aggies to reach the mark.
It's a story that has given him experiences in life not many other college basketball players can draw on as they deal with the adversity that accompanies life as a college basketball player.
"Being able to have that life experience allows me to take things on my shoulders," Wilkinson said. "I can see things maybe a little differently and carry things."
Wilkinson is undeniably a leader on this 26-4 Aggie team.
The emotional redhead is Utah State's leading scorer, leading rebounder and only senior.
At 26 years old, he also by far the elder statesman on the team and gets his share of ribbing about it.
"The other day, Tai (Wesley) was saying something about something happening in the '30s and asked if I was around to witness it live," Wilkinson said. "I'm not that much older than those guys."
Still, he is a leader in many ways, and his coach and teammates are quick to point that out.
Matt Formisano, a 6-foot-8 sophomore forward from Colorado, said he has learned from Wilkinson throughout the past two seasons.
"A great leader," Formisano said, one who "leads by example with his attitude and work ethic."
It is, perhaps, those hard lessons learned early in his life that have shaped Wilkinson into the man and player he is today.
Though 26, the 6-foot-9 Wilkinson did not play high school basketball.
His self-admitted attitude problems got him kicked off the team before he even made it through tryouts at Bingham High School, and he didn't play organized hoops until he showed up at Salt Lake Community College and asked if he could try out for the team.
With little basketball experience to draw on, Wilkinson wasn't sure if he'd be welcomed to the team, but he quickly settled in and eventually earned junior college All-American honors with the Bruins.
USU coach Stew Morrill recognized that while Wilkinson's on-the-court experience was lacking in some regards, his maturity and perspective were something to be valued as a team member.
"There is no question that he has fought through things during his time here," Morrill said.
"When you look at his background, where he didn't even play high school ball, his willingness to practice is even more important."
Not one to overlook his circumstances, Wilkinson has battled through myriad injuries and ailments, ranging from a bad thumb to an aching back. He's never skipped a practice, though, and rarely shies away from banging bodies with the young whippersnappers he typically is asked to play against.
"He has had a huge impact in the two years he has been here," Morrill said.
"To come in last year and be second-team all-league and be such a positive player was huge."
Wilkinson's first season was a relatively easy one as he adjusted to Division I basketball. USU had All-American guard Jaycee Carroll as the focal point of the offense, and Wilkinson was able to quietly average 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds.
This season, he's assumed a more direct role in Utah State's success. He's increased his scoring average to 17.1 points and is averaging 7.2 rebounds while shooting 58.8 percent from the floor and 84.3 percent from the free-throw line.
The one-time high school dropout has a 3.8 GPA and wants to enter law school and eventually become a judge.
"I was around a few judges in my day," Wilkinson joked. "So I kind of appreciate what they did for me … At the time, I don't think I appreciated them very much, but now I recognize what an impact they can have."
His approach to life — not taking anything for granted and working harder than most might expect him to — is noticed and appreciated by his team.
"He's seen more of the good and bad of what the world has to offer," Formisano said. "He's learned from his mistakes and turned things completely around to where he's successful on and off the court."
On Saturday night, Wilkinson will play his final game at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
The Aggies host San Jose State and have won 33 consecutive home games. Wilkinson has never lost a game in the Spectrum and would like to keep it that way.
"We've had a lot of success here, and it's something we're proud of," Wilkinson said. "I'd like to finish this out the right way."
Finishing things the right way, maybe for Wilkinson more than most, has taken on significant meaning.
After several years of not exactly starting well, Wilkinson wants to make sure his legacy is one he has no regrets leaving behind.
"The worst thing we can do is overthink our position," he said about fighting for a seeding and at-large potential in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. "We have to just worry about one team at a time and not about the future."
The future — shaped by his past — is bright, though.
"I've learned nothing really comes easy," he said.
"Without basketball, I might still be in college, but I'd have to be working hard, and it would be pretty tough," he said. "So I'm taking advantage of this chance."
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com