#8 Jarace Walker
Height: 6’8
Weight: 240
Weight: 240
School: Houston
Position: SF/PF/C
Class: Freshman
WHO
Walker’s journey to the NBA lottery started at Susquehannock High School (PA) in his freshman year, but it really kicked off when he transferred to IMG Academy for his next three years in high school. The Baltimore-born forward was selected to play in the Mcdonald’s All-American Game thanks to his ability to move deftly and fleetly in the perimeter while also outmuscling bigger attackers in the paint.
Walker chose Houston over schools like LSU, Ohio State, Alabama, UNC, Michigan, and more. He became Houston’s first five-star recruit in almost nine years. A big part of his decision was the promise of playing time, which he made the most of with the Cougars. He put up big numbers in big games, like when he dominated bitter rivals SMU by posting a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double, or when he helped knock off nationally ranked Virginia with a 17-point outing.
Walker averaged 11.2 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1 steal in 36 total games. He posted up a 46% field-goal shooting percentage, his 51% two-point percentage overshadowing a below-average 34% three-point percentage. He led his team to a Sweet Sixteen appearance while also winning the AAC regular-season title and getting second in the conference tournament.
While at Houston, Walker’s quality and technique came to light. He had a great dribble and could handle the ball around the perimeter, whether it was by driving the ball and getting a layup, or swinging the ball around and finding an open teammate through his pinpoint passes. He was more than just some 6’8 big who could post up, grab rebounds, and draw fouls. He defended with flair. His footwork is unparalleled, meaning he can defend at the top of the key and stick with guards and forwards alike. But it doesn’t mean he can’t resist big defenders in the paint; in fact, it’s the opposite. Walker terrorized defenders of all shapes and sizes,
WHY
Walker’s strength and size combined with elite playmaking means he could fit in multiple game plans and tactics. He’s powerful and resilient to guard the big centers, but shifty and quick enough to guard the smaller guards. He can even dribble, pass, drive to the rim, and finish easily through contact. The only missing piece of his game is his shooting, but the success stories of numerous bigs who revamped their jump shot is encouraging enough to make Walker a top-10 draft prospect.
The Pacers, Wizards, and Jazz are all reportedly sniffing around the Houston forward, as he’s in their draft range. He’s a mid-lottery pick with enough versatility and uniqueness to raise the eyebrows of many GMs, and deservedly. Outside of Mets 92’s Victor Wembanyama, he is the most interesting player in this draft class.
PRO SCOUT QUOTES
PRO SCOUT QUOTES
Walker has a basketball player’s height (6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) and a football player’s sturdy frame, and he matches his impressive physical dimensions with an insatiable appetite for getting stops.
Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer
Jarace is a big forward with tons of natural strength. He’s got big shoulders and a rock solid frame, while also showing good agility and vertical explosion. He fits the mold of modern day 4 or small ball 5.
NBADraftRoom
Instead, Walker’s offensive portfolio strikes me as being a really good team piece and a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ type. He’s not a guy teams should be designing plays in order to get him a shot. Instead, he’s the type who can go out there and make positive plays happen most of the time within the flow of play.
Adam Spinella, The Box and One
His versatility will also prove to be an asset on the offensive side. As a forward, he has great ball skills, which will prove important as he takes defenders off the dribble. He will use this skill to blow by slower, taller bigs.
Ian Sacks, Mid-Major Madness
He flourishes as an off ball defender as well. You can see a little bit of it in the first clip above. He’s aggressive rotating to protect the basket and always puts himself in the right spot. His motor doesn’t stop and he clearly takes a ton of pride in getting stops. He generated 3.3 stocks (steals + blocks) per 40 minutes and had a very strong +4.4 defensive box plus minus.
At the Hive
