Despite not picking up a racquet until sixteen years of age, John Wilkerson would earn a tennis scholarship to Prairie View A&M University, before dropping out to join the army. The pinnacle of his playing career occurred in 1971 when he earned a victory at the ATA Men’s singles tournament.   

However, his impact on the sport was most felt when he turned his attention to coaching, first serving as the head teaching pro at MacGregor Park in Houston, Texas. He is credited with opening the door for more diverse students by expanding the program and offering free lessons. Two students who benefited from this expansion were Zina Garrison and Lori McNeil, both of whom he coached from the time they were 11 years old and would go on to be world Top 10 players. Alongside Garrison, he founded the Zina Garrison Academy, furthering his aspirations to continue to provide the youth of Houston with opportunities in tennis.

He currently serves as the academy’s Senior Director of Tennis. Wilkerson has been inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. He currently sits on the board of the Houston Tennis Association and is regarded as one of the best Black coaches in tennis. Wilkerson has helped more than 100 youth players earn collegiate scholarships. In 2014, the USTA honored him as a Team USA Coaching Legend.