The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
68 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2018-19 T e n Q u e s t i o n s W i t h W y a t t W a l k e r Who would you like to see in concert that you haven't seen yet? I want to see the Charlie Daniels Band. Who is your favorite NBA player? LeBron James. Who is your favorite NBA team? Whatever team LeBron James is on, so right now the Los Angeles Lakers. What is your guilty pleasure TV program? "The Ranch" with Ashton Kutcher. What is the toughest road venue you have played in? We played at FSU my sophomore year at Samford, and that was intense. We almost had them, too, and were up at halftime. Cincinnati was also tough. When you were playing traveling team basketball in high school, what was your favorite city to visit? Fort Myers, Fla., for City of Palms Tournament. If you could try a different college sport what would it be? Football for sure at tight end. What's a long-term promise you have made to your family? To try and make them proud. I told both my parents that I'm so thankful for what they've done for me. Would you wear your NC State jersey in a social setting? I would not. What is your go-to restaurant for a date? Big Ed's is a good breakfast place. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Analysis: Walker was a prized offseason addition as a graduate transfer from Samford and immediately figures into the mix in the post. He is head coach Kevin Keatts' most experienced option in the paint. Wisconsin and Oklahoma State both pursued Walker in addition to the Wolfpack. He should provide NC State with a strong rebounder and skill on offense, including at the free throw line. Walker will have two seasons of eligibility remaining since he received a medi - cal redshirt last season. Career Highlights: Was a preseason All-Southern Conference selection last year after being named a third-team performer by the league's head coaches in 2017 … Only played two games last season due to a knee injury … As a sophomore, he was the SoCon Player of the Month in November when he averaged 14.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game and had a nation-leading seven doubles-doubles … Led the league that season in rebounding (9.7 boards per game) and double-doubles (17) … Made the SoCon All-Freshman team in 2016 … Had a career-high 30 points against East Tennessee State and was subsequently named the conference's Player of the Week … Was a teammate of former Duke star Grayson Allen at Providence School in Jacksonville, Fla. … A four-year starter in high school, who scored 1,408 points and grabbed 1,015 rebounds while helping his team go 138-10. Personal: Son of Lamar and Kirstin Walker … Majoring in business … Birthday is Nov. 2. STATISTICS Year G-GS MPG PPG RPG BPG FG% 3FG% FT% 2015-16* 32-29 22.0 10.6 6.0 0.8 58.1 0.0 70.2 2016-17* 34-34 29.1 12.9 9.7 1.5 58.6 33.3 76.1 2017-18* 2-2 17.5 9.0 5.0 0.5 46.7 — 80.0 * at Samford WYATT WALKER 33 R-Jr. • Jacksonville, Fla. • 6-9 • 240 F