'He's a monster': Jarace Walker showing exactly why the Indiana Pacers drafted him
LAS VEGAS — Jarace Walker is already displaying the skills that made him a lottery prospect in the NBA Draft.
Most knew that Walker could defend and that he would be a force on the less glamorous end of the court. In Summer League action, he is getting stops and blowing up plays multiple times per quarter. But his offensive upside wasn't discussed as often in the lead up to the draft, and yet Walker has shown high-level flashes on both ends of the court with the summer Pacers.
"He's great. I think he does a little bit of everything," Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard said of Walker earlier this week after one of the team's Summer League games. "Obviously it's early, he's going to keep continuing to get a lot better. Bright things in the future for him, both sides of the ball."
Walker has been balancing building chemistry with his new team as well as skill growth. He isn't even totally comfortable in NBA settings yet. But he looks like a player who could bring a unique skill set to the Pacers when the regular season starts. His activity is impressive.
On defense, his wingspan and mobility are intimidating. On offense, his handle and power are difficult to match. The rookie forward has shown off a skillset that Indiana hasn't had in a while, albeit in a Summer League setting.
"He's very versatile. He can handle the ball and make plays offensively. Kinda put the ball in his hands sometimes and he made some great plays," Pacers Summer League head coach Jannero Pargo said of Walker after the team's second game in Las Vegas. After the first game, he discussed the other end of the court. "The defensive end, he was great. He can really move his feet. Protecting the rim some as well. Very versatile both on the offensive end as well as the defensive end."
Walker has already produced some highlight plays on both ends of the court. He had a vicious block on Quenton Jackson in the team's first outing. Every half, he has a powerful dunk. His heads-up thinking on a free throw got the Pacers two points in their opening win.
That IQ is something that Indiana center Isaiah Jackson noted as a trait that stands out about Walker, and something that will continue to get better. "He's a monster, man. He's been doing his thing, he's been hoopin'. He's been bringing a lot of energy to us, especially at the start of games," Jackson said. "He's just all over the place, he does everything. He's a good fit for our team energy-wise, how he plays."
Through three games in Las Vegas, the rookie forward is averaging 14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He has done a little bit of everything and has contributed to winning.
With a few key players done playing for the summer Pacers, Walker's role has evolved from a natural four to a blend of point-forward and screening big man. He was around the action more in the team's most recent outing, and that should continue going forward. He had 20 points and nine rebounds on Wednesday.
"His energy is unmatched... on and off the court, he's always the same," Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin said of Walker. "He's different. His presence is unbelievable. His wingspan is great. Like I said, I love his energy."
Walker impressed his teammates with his defensive activity right away. He could be a perfect fit on a team that had an offseason goal of improving its defense.
His offensive upside adds more to his value. Indiana allowing him to explore his game as a ball handler, passer, and shot creator will accelerate his growth, and if he can be a useful generator of quality looks, Walker will fit right in with the blue and gold this year.
The eighth overall pick's biggest downside so far has been efficiency. He's 18/49 (36.7%) from the field through three games and hasn't been able to can his open jumpers. Even though he takes them with confidence, they have to go in at some point if he's going to be a high-impact player.
But Walker still feels great about his early performances. "I feel like I got more comfortable as the game went on. I didn't shoot the ball, but I feel like I defended pretty well, rebounded the ball pretty well," Walker said after his first performance. "Got a couple of assists, found my teammates."
The rookie forward didn't feel nervous ahead of his first outing donning the blue and gold. Instead, he was confident, and he was surprised how quickly the team gelled and came together.
He had a steal 45 seconds into his summer league debut, and Walker noted that it helped him settle in and find a rhythm. Ever since then, he's been a standout for the summer Pacers. "I feel I guarded the guards pretty well. Kept them in front, made them take tough twos," he said after that game. "Defended bigs pretty well too, got them to miss a couple of chips. Overall, had a pretty good defensive game."
Walker's growth path from IMG Academy to Pacers draft pick to Summer League standout is encouraging. And he's still got more room to grow, particularly as a play finisher. The forward has one or two games left to show off his skills in Las Vegas, but he has already proven to have the baseline of skills that the blue and gold need.
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