Every so often, a high school baller grabs the spotlight not just with talent but with something more… a spark and a story. Lately, the buzz isn’t about an NBA superstar, but rather his teenage son who’s lighting up courts and timelines. People can’t stop talking about this 19-year-old who’s flying above rims and splashing deep threes like it’s nothing. But here’s the twist. He’s not trying to be like his father – he’s focused on being the first Jacob Wilkins.
Now you’re probably thinking, that last name sounds familiar, right? That’s because Jacob Wilkins is the son of Atlanta Hawks legend and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins. But Jacob’s not leaning on legacy, he’s rewriting it. While fans are comparing him to his dad, Jacob is staying locked on his own path. He’s quietly building a highlight reel that’s shaking up social media and turning heads across the country.
Just recently, a video of Jacob Wilkins started going viral, and not just any clip. We’re talking full-speed drives, silky smooth jumpers, and jaw-dropping dunks with his head at the rim! The popular Instagram page “courtsidebuzzing” posted a picture of him with the caption: “BABY HIGHLIGHT”: Jacob Wilkins, the 6’9” high school senior & son of NBA legend Dominique Wilkins, has INSANE, head-at-the-rim bounce, like his father & can shoot the three!”
Fans couldn’t get enough. “Sometimes, like when I dunk, I don’t think I jumped that high and then I see on film, oh my head was over the rim, stuff like that is crazy,” Jacob told 11Alive, still a little surprised by his own bounce.
But while the internet draws comparisons to his father, nicknamed the Human Highlight Reel, Jacob Wilkins is making it clear he’s not here to follow anyone. “If I’m living up to somebody else, then that’s not going to be in my best interest,” he said.
Instead, Jacob is focused on performing at the highest level and letting his game do the talking. “He’s told me to just block out everything, focus in on what I need to do,” he said, crediting his dad for teaching him to stay focused and ignore the noise. And yes, the friendly dunk contest debates do happen at home too. Jacob Wilkins even joked, “If I was playing back then and I was dunking back then, they wouldn’t have been able to do it with me.”
And now, with the spotlight coming on him, Jacob is a rising star! His nickname, Baby Highlight, is no accident. He’s showing flashes of that same electric energy his father brought to arenas. The internet may love the similarities, but Jacob’s mission is different; it’s not about copying greatness, it’s about creating his own.
Jacob Wilkins is headed to UGA
Jacob Wilkins has committed to the University of Georgia, where his father, Dominique, once dominated the court. But don’t get it twisted; Jacob isn’t going there to follow in anyone’s footsteps. “I trust everyone there,” Jacob said. “I come in there with a last name but I know I’ll make my own name going there.”
He’s a four-star recruit, ranked No. 57 in ESPN’s 2025 class and the No. 11 power forward in the country. At 6’9”, he brings length, bounce, and a modern game built around perimeter skills and versatility. He chose Georgia over Virginia, showing that his heart was set on making Athens his home. And yes, he’s expected to wear that iconic No. 21 jersey….the same one his old man wore, which was retired in 1991.
Dominique Wilkins played for Georgia from 1979 to 1982, averaging 21.6 points and becoming the SEC Player of the Year. He was later drafted No. 3 overall and went on to be a nine-time NBA All-Star. The weight of history is significant, and Jacob Wilkins acknowledges it, but remains undeterred. He’s stepping into that legacy with the calm confidence of someone ready to create his own.
And this isn’t just a feel-good family story. Georgia head coach Mike White is building something special, and Jacob is a big part of that vision. His commitment came just days after five-star forward Asa Newell joined the program too. That’s two major building blocks for a rising team. NCAA fans, keep your eyes on Georgia: something big is coming.
Jacob Wilkins is here, and he’s not trying to be the next Dominique. He’s here to be the only Jacob.
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