Starring for Santa Barbara High School with fellow future NBA player Don Ford, Wilkes was voted CIF Class 4A Player of the Year after leading the Dons to 26 consecutive wins and to the playoff semifinals during the 1969–70 season.
Pemain bintang Santa Barbara High School bersama pemain NBA masa depan Don Ford, Wilkes terpilih sebagai Pemain Kelas 4A CIF Tahun Itu setelah memimpin Dons hingga 26 kemenangan beruntun dan ke semifinal playoff selama musim 1969–70.