Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker joins Under Armour: 'It means the world'
Indiana Pacers rookie forward Jarace Walker is officially with Under Armour. The 2023 lottery pick is joining a group of NBA players including two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry by becoming an Under Armour athlete.
"It means the world, honestly," Walker said of joining Under Armour in an exclusive interview. "Just being from that city, the headquarters being in that city, and then I was always with the Baltimore team until college really. Played AAU [in the] Under Armour circuit, went to IMG academy, an Under Armour school... It just felt like the right thing to do."
For Walker, being an Under Armour athlete is a perfect partnership. In 2003, he was born in Baltimore, and Under Armour's global headquarters sits on the Patapsco River in the downtown area of the city. He played some AAU basketball for the Baltimore-based Team Thrill, a program that is supported by NBA guard Will Barton. Barton is also a Baltimore native and Under Armour athlete.
The Pacers rookie was split between the Curry 1 Low and Curry 4 when deciding on his favorite basketball shoe. He played his high school basketball at IMG Academy, and Under Armour is the footwear and performance apparel sponsor of the program. Walker's Under Armour roots run deep, and he now gets to represent the brand.
"We're thrilled to have Jarace continue to represent what it means to be an Under Armour athlete," said Sean Eggert, senior vice president of global sports marketing at Under Armour. Walker joins an Under Armour NBA roster that includes Curry, Barton, Bones Hyland, and Patty Mills, among others.
Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker joins Under Armour. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Under Armour)
Walker was a leader at the 2023 Under Armour Elite 24 showcase back in August — he was a coach for Team FUTR at the event. The 20-year old hopes to continue his involvement in Under Armour events going forward.
"I feel like the main thing is, just continue to improve and just be there for the young generation. Just being a mentor, kind of like somebody that the kids can talk to," Walker shared of his future goals as an Under Armour athlete. He wants to be involved in his community and provide opportunities.
In many ways, Walker's new partnership is a lot like his spot on the Pacers. It's new, but it has been a long time coming.
Walker has always been involved with Under Armour and is a perfect fit in their athlete line-up. Indiana, meanwhile, has been searching for their power forward of the future for years. Walker could be a perfect fit there, too.
The team lost Thaddeus Young to free agency in 2019, and their rotation at the four has been a work in progress ever since.
For a while, Domantas Sabonis was the Pacers power forward. Sabonis is a tremendous talent, but in some ways he was miscast at the four. It wasn't his natural position, and it led to some clunky lineups. After Sabonis, the blue and gold had brief stints where Oshae Brissett, Jalen Smith, or Aaron Nesmith was the primary power forward. There were some successful moments along the way, but none of those players appeared to be the long-term answer at the position. They were all better suited in different, or smaller, roles.
Insert Walker, who is a true four man and could be exactly what Indiana needs. "In a league where defensive versatility, the ability to switch and contain, is so important, we believe he can do that," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of Walker a few months ago. Walker's teammates were impressed with his two-way play during Summer League.
The rookie forward agrees that he could be the missing piece for the blue and gold. "I feel like just what I bring to the table is exactly what this team was missing, that extra defender, extra rebounder, extra playmaker, shot creator," he said after the NBA draft.
It's just preseason, but Walker has already shown the Pacers what he can be at his best and how dedicated he is to the team. He won't leave practice until he rings a bell in the Ascension St Vincent Center, a feat achieved by hitting at least 20 out of 25 threes in an around the world style drill.
"I just want to be the best I can be," Walker shared. He's stubborn in a good way, and he has to complete his personal checklist every day. He's a goal setter, and he wants to help the Pacers make the playoffs this year. That's been a stated goal for several members of the roster — Walker's vision aligns well with his teammates. He's won everywhere during his career.
The 2023 eighth overall pick has been praised by veteran guard T.J. McConnell for being a good person and great culture fit with the organization. He's already formed a bond with his teammates, a similar one to what he hopes to have with communities via his partnership with Under Armour.
In every way, Walker has been a great fit with the Pacers so far, and he could develop into exactly what the team needs. Now, he joins Under Armour. And he's a perfect fit there, too.
"Just trying to be a good leader," Walker said of his goals as an Under Armour athlete. Today is day one as he works toward accomplishing those goals.
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