Magic NBA Draft: Jarace Walker 'Understands Hard Work'
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ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is just over four weeks away from welcoming its newest members of the franchise.
Among the possibilities could be Houston forward Jarace Walker if he is available at the No. 6 pick.
To learn more about Walker, we spoke with Locked on Coogs host Parker Ainsworth.
1. Jarace Walker has the chance to be the highest drafted Cougar since Hakeem Olajuwon. Why?
Honestly, as the highest ranked recruit of modern rankings to come through UH basketball, it almost feels like it would be a shocker if he WASN'T that. He's 6'7", 250 lbs, 7'2" wingspan, 38" vertical, and has as high an upside as anyone. I maintain, after watching a lot of college hoops last year, he ought to be the top prospect coming out of college.
He can be a creator on short roll situations like he did against Virginia, he can keep other top prospects to 0 made field goals like he did against Brandon Miller and Alabama, and he can defend the rim like a big as seen in his six-block performance against Auburn. Mechanically he has a great jumper (34.7% from 3), just needs to continue to speed up his release. I'm not saying he's an all-NBA caliber guy on day one, but I also wouldn't put all-NBA out of his (long) reach.
2. What are Walker's strengths?
I've been calling him a high, high level true 1-5 switch defender. Houston had AAC DPOY Jamal Shead and AAC MVP Marcus Sasser, thus Walker never got assigned to a guard, but we saw him in switches eat up opposing PGs. He protected the rim like a guy a half-foot taller, and other teams typically tried to space him out on the perimeter, but he could "two-step gallop" to the rim and the corner as well as anyone. His strength and length make him a potential "death lineup" style center, but his athleticism, jumper, floater all would be suited to a more traditional small forward.
He's also incredibly competitive. There were games, like UVA, Cincinnati, and nearly Miami in the Sweet 16, where Walker willed them to victory, or willed them to a few key plays that turned the tide.
Truthfully, and I've said this since we started LO Coogs, what makes Walker a top tier pick is that he chose Houston and Sampson in the first place. So many 5-star athletes like him (IMG kid, was making SportsCenter highlights at 15, was their starting "point forward" as a junior and senior both), go somewhere that will give them 36 minutes and 26 shots a game.
Houston had a talented roster, and high aspirations, and wasn't ever going to be that. Sampson coached him like a (very talented) freshman. He grew his role but hesitated to give the 18-year-old the keys. He benched him for stretches for missing defensive rotations. And he made Walker play Cougar basketball, not the other way around. That a top tier prospect chose that tells you a lot about the kid... dating back to even his commitment in an IG Live interview, in his IMG dorm room with his teammates, Walker has been more about the important things than the flashy things.
He's got a great head on his broad shoulders, thanks to a great family in Pennsylvania, and he understands how important hard work is in the process. He's soft spoken, but that comes through in every conversation he has with the public.
3. What are Walker's weaknesses?
First things are two offensive pieces that will come with reps. As mentioned, his jumper takes an extra second to get off. At a faster level, he'll need to speed up the motion to get those shots off. He also needs a tighter handle, or a solid countermove, for when defenses cut him off. In NCAA hoops, he was so much more explosive that he didn't have to be that "shifty," but as a 6'7" guy in the NBA he'll need it.
Second, while he's a tremendous defender, he wants the SportsCenter-type play a lot. Kelvin Sampson benched him regularly throughout the season for trying to block three-point jump shots and fouling the shooter. To this point, as crazy athletic as he is, he's been batting a pretty high average on those gambles... but at the NBA level he needs to pick and choose those spots more carefully.
4. Is there a player that you think compares to Walker. If so, who?
More athletic Paul Millsap
Stronger mentally / physically John Collins
Shawn Marion with a more fluid jump shot
Julius Randle with more fast-twitch movements and a better defensive IQ
ceiling: DPOY candidate and regular all-NBA type of guy
floor: 3&D starter with pick/pop or pick/ short roll and kick abilities
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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