Devondrick Walker

Devondrick Walker (born July 11, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Rockingham Flames of the NBL1 West. He played three years of college basketball for Texas A&M–Commerce before spending the first four seasons of his professional career in the NBA Development League. He later played in Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand and Latvia.

Devondrick Walker
Walker in September 2022
No. 1 – Rockingham Flames
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBL1 West
Personal information
Born (1992-07-11) July 11, 1992
NationalityAmerican
Listed height196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Listed weight96 kg (212 lb)
Career information
High schoolSouth Garland (Garland, Texas)
College
NBA draft2014: undrafted
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015Austin Spurs
2016Westchester Knicks
2016–2017Delaware 87ers
2018Pallacanestro Trieste
2019New Basket Brindisi
2019–2020Chorale Roanne Basket
2020South East Melbourne Phoenix
2021Hawke's Bay Hawks
2021–2022VEF Rīga
2022–presentRockingham Flames
2022Brisbane Bullets
Career highlights and awards

High school career

Walker attended South Garland High School in Garland, Texas, where he was a three-year letterwinner. As a senior in 2009–10, he averaged 10 points, four assists and four steals per game, which earned him all-district honors.[1]

College career

Coming out of high school, Walker had no scholarship offers. Instead, he secured a last-second offer through a connection his high school assistant coach had.[2] In May 2010, Walker signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Northwestern Oklahoma State University in the 2010–11 season.[3] Walker played for former four-year Ranger basketball player and assistant coach at South Garland High School, Dominique Parker.[3] He rarely played, however, and after one season transferred to Texas A&M University–Commerce, a little known Division-II school outside of Dallas. It was there that Walker found someone who believed in him—head coach Sam Walker.[2] Devondrick said in January 2017, "I had an amazing head coach (Sam Walker). He forced me to defend when I didn't want to, forced me to rebound when I didn't want to."[2]

As a sophomore in 2011–12, Walker saw action in all 27 games with 21 starts, and averaged 28.1 minutes, 8.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He ranked 10th in the Lone Star Conference in free throw percentage (76.9) and was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week on February 27, 2012. He scored in double digits in 11 contests, including a career-best 24 points in the regular season finale against Angelo State on February 25, 2012.[1]

As a junior in 2012–13, Walker appeared in all 29 games for the Lions with 14 starts. He averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 24.7 minutes per game. He shot 41.5 percent from the floor, including 41.9 percent from three-point range, while hitting 82.3 percent of his free throws, ranking second in the Lone Star Conference. He posted 13 double figure point totals on the year, highlighted by his 20-point performance against Southern Arkansas on November 26, 2012.[1]

As a senior in 2013–14, Walker was a second-team all-Lone Star Conference selection, his first such honor. He finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the league with 13.6 points per game and led the LSC with a 91.3-percent mark from the foul stripe. He also was named to the academic all-LSC team for the second time in his career, graduating in May.[4] On June 5, 2014, he was named the recipient of the 2013–14 Lone Star Conference Scholar-Athlete Award for A&M-Commerce.[4]

Professional career

2014–15 season

Upon graduating from college, Walker had no contract offers, and as a result, he thought his playing days had come to a close. However, after attending open tryouts with the Austin Spurs, Texas Legends and Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League,[2] the Spurs added him to their training camp roster in early November 2014.[5] In 2014–15, Walker helped Austin reach the Western Conference Finals of the 2015 NBA D-League Playoffs.[6] In 37 games as a rookie, he averaged 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.[7]

2015–16 season

On October 30, 2015, Walker was reacquired by the Austin Spurs.[8] However, on November 11, 2015, he was waived by the Spurs prior to the start of the 2015–16 D-League regular season.[9] On January 18, 2016, Walker was acquired by the Westchester Knicks.[10] He remained with Westchester for the rest of the 2015–16 season, and in 25 regular-season games, Walker averaged 4.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.[7]

2016–17 season

On October 31, 2016, Walker was reacquired by the Westchester Knicks.[11] On December 14, 2016, he was traded to the Delaware 87ers in exchange for Von Wafer.[12] Walker was averaging 10 points per game with Westchester[12] and went on to average 15 points per game in January with Delaware.[2] At the D-League Showcase, he scored 46 points over two games on 15-of-18 from the field, including 12-of-12 from 3-point range.[2] Five of his six 20-point games with Delaware came after December, including a career-high 24 points in a 131–125 loss to the Maine Red Claws on February 4. Walker also tallied at least 17 points in 12 games, with 10 of those performances coming after December. Having demonstrated the most significant improvement during the 2016–17 NBA D-League season, Walker was named the NBA D-League Most Improved Player.[6] In his third season in the NBA D-League, Walker appeared in 48 games (38 with Delaware, 10 with Westchester), averaging 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists.[6]

2017–18 season

After playing for the Utah Jazz during the 2017 NBA Summer League,[13][14] Walker moved to Australia to play for the Perth Wildcats in the 2017–18 NBL season.[15] However, after suffering a fracture in his left foot during preseason,[16][17] Walker was replaced in the squad by J. P. Tokoto.[18]

Walker returned to the Delaware 87ers in March 2018,[19] but he did not play for the 87ers to finish the 2017–18 NBA G League season.[20] He then played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018 NBA Summer League.[21]

Italy and France (2018–2020)

On July 31, 2018, Walker signed a one-year deal with Italian team Pallacanestro Trieste for the 2018–19 LBA season.[22] He left them after appearing in four games. On January 9, 2019, he signed with New Basket Brindisi for the rest of the LBA season.[23] In seven games for Brindisi, he averaged 11.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.

On December 12, 2019, Walker signed with French team Chorale Roanne Basket of the LNB Pro A.[24] He parted ways with Chorale Roanne on January 13, 2020.[25] He appeared in four games for Roanne, averaging 9.3 points in 23 minutes per game.[25]

South East Melbourne Phoenix (2020)

On January 14, 2020, Walker signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the rest of the 2019–20 NBL season, returning to Australia for a second stint.[26] In eight games, he averaged 7.38 points and 2.25 rebounds per game.[20]

New Zealand (2021)

On March 9, 2021, Walker signed with the Hawke's Bay Hawks for the 2021 New Zealand NBL season.[27] He averaged 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game.[28]

Latvia (2021–2022)

On August 22, 2021, Walker signed with VEF Rīga of the Latvian–Estonian Basketball League.[28] He parted ways with Rīga on January 24, 2022.[29]

Return to Australia (2022–present)
Walker with his championship ring and Grand Final MVP trophy following the 2022 NBL1 West Grand Final

On March 29, 2022, Walker signed with the Rockingham Flames of the NBL1 West for the 2022 season.[30] He helped the Flames finish the regular season in second place with an 18–4 record and helped guide them to the NBL1 West Grand Final, where they defeated the Geraldton Buccaneers 91–79 to win the championship. Walker was named Grand Final MVP for his game-high 26 points.[31][32] For the season, he was named the NBL1 West MVP alongside All-NBL1 West First Team and the league's scoring title.[33] In 24 games, he averaged 26.96 points, 5.63 rebounds, 3.71 assists and 1.92 steals per game.[34] The team went on to win the NBL1 National championship at the NBL1 National Finals without him.[35]

On September 5, 2022, Walker signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2022–23 NBL season.[36][37] He was released by the Bullets on November 5, 2022, after averaging 9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in five games.[38]

On February 7, 2023, Walker re-signed with the Flames for the 2023 NBL1 West season.[39][40] On May 5, he scored 50 points in a 108–87 win over the Mandurah Magic.[41] He was named NBL1 West MVP for the second straight season.[42] The Flames went on to lose 97–94 in overtime to the Joondalup Wolves in the preliminary final, with Walker scoring a game-high 32 points on 11-of-32 shooting and 4-of-20 from 3-point range.[43] In 24 games, he averaged 27.13 points, 4.46 rebounds, 3.67 assists and 1.17 steals per game.[44] The Flames went on to reach the grand final of the NBL1 National Finals, where they lost 90–85 to the Knox Raiders despite Walker's game-high 37 points and nine 3-pointers.[45]

Personal life

Walker is good friends with former teammates Jonathon Simmons[2] and Bryce Cotton.[46][47] Walker grew up idolising Detroit Pistons' great Isiah Thomas.[48]

Walker and his wife have a daughter.[49]

References
  1. "Texas A&M University–Commerce Athletics – Devondrick Walker – 2013–14". LionAthletics.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  2. Maloney, Jack (January 24, 2017). "Like His Shooting Ability, Devondrick Walker's Story Is Remarkable". NBA.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  3. Hintergardt, Ryan (May 17, 2010). "RANGER BASKETBALL SIGNS WALKER". nwosu.edu. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  4. "Walker, Minde Named A&M-Commerce LSC Scholar-Athletes". LionAthletics.com. June 5, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. "Former Lion Men's Basketball Player Walker On D-League Training Camp Roster". LionAthletics.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  6. "Delaware 87ers' Devondrick Walker Named NBA D-League Most Improved Player". NBA.com. April 20, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  7. "Devondrick Walker D-League Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  8. "AUSTIN SPURS ANNOUNCE 2015 RETURNING PLAYERS AND TRAINING CAMP INVITEES". NBA.com. October 30, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  9. "Austin Spurs Announce 2015-16 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. November 11, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  10. "Westchester Knicks Acquire Devondrick Walker". NBA.com. January 18, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  11. "Westchester Knicks Finalize 2016-17 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 31, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  12. "RELEASE: SEVENS ACQUIRE DEVONDRICK WALKER". NBA.com. December 14, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  13. Judd, Brandon (June 29, 2017). "Utah Jazz announce summer league roster, includes Exum, Bolomboy, trio of 2017 draft picks". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  14. "Devondrick Walker and Darrell Williams playing in NBA Summer League". LionAthletics.com. July 5, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  15. "WILDCATS SIGN DEVONDRICK WALKER". Wildcats.com.au. July 21, 2017. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017.
  16. "DEVONDRICK WALKER SUFFERS FOOT INJURY". Wildcats.com.au. August 24, 2017. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017.
  17. O'Donoghue, Craig (August 24, 2017). "Wildcats hunt for immediate replacement after import Devondrick Walker's injury". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  18. O'Donoghue, Craig (September 7, 2017). "New Perth Wildcats signing Jean-Pierre Tokoto ups case for defence". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  19. "Delaware 87ers Acquire Devondrick Walker". OurSportsCentral.com. March 15, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  20. "Devondrick Walker". realgm.com. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  21. "2018 Philadelphia Sixers NBA Summer League Roster". RealGM.com. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  22. "Pallacanestro Trieste signs Devondrick Walker". Sportando.basketball. July 31, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  23. "Ingaggiato Devondrick Walker". newbasketbrindisi.it (in Italian). January 9, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  24. "Devondrick Walker renforce la Chorale". chorale-roanne.com (in French). December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  25. Lupo, Nicola (January 13, 2020). "Devondrick Walker, Chorale Roanne part ways". sportando.basketball. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  26. "South East Melbourne Phoenix sign Devondrick Walker". NBL.com.au. January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  27. "And here come our imports 🙌 Devondrick is another star joining our 2021 Squad". facebook.com/NZBayHawks. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  28. Skerletic, Dario (August 22, 2021). "Devondrick Walker joins VEF Riga". Sportando. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  29. "Informējam, ka neturpināsim sadarbību ar amerikāņu basketbolistu Devondriku Vokeru..." twitter.com/vefriga (in Latvian). January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  30. "OUR BIGGEST SIGNING YET". facebook.com/rockingham.flames. March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  31. "ROCKINGHAM FLAMES CROWNED NBL1 WEST CHAMPIONS". nbl1.com.au. September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  32. "NBL1 West Recap | Men's Grand Final". nbl1.com.au. September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  33. "BWA AWARDS NIGHT – AWARD WINNERS AND HALL OF FAME". BasketballWA.asn.au. August 14, 2022. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  34. "Devondrick Walker". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  35. "PETRIK LEARNS NBL1 SUCCESS LESSONS FOR LYNX". wnbl.basketball/perth. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  36. "Devondrick Walker locked in for NBL23". brisbanebullets.com.au. September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  37. "Brisbane Locks in Final Signing". NBL.com.au. September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  38. "Bullets Make Roster Move As Import Released". NBL.com.au. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  39. "2023 • DEVONDRICK WALKER X Sinclair Family McDonald's Rockingham Flames". facebook.com/rockingham.flames. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  40. Everett, Lachlan (February 16, 2023). "NBL1 West MVP says he'll be even better this season". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  41. "Rockingham vs Mandurah". nbl1.com.au. May 5, 2023. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  42. O'Donoghue, Craig (July 23, 2023). "Rockingham Flames star Devondrick Walker wins second NBL1 West MVP to keep NBL dream alive". The West Australian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  43. "Rockingham vs Joondalup". nbl1.com.au. August 5, 2023. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  44. "Tom Jervis – 2023 Stats". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  45. "NBL1 National Finals Recap | Men's Championship Game 2023". NBL1.com.au. August 20, 2023. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023.
  46. Robinson, Chris (July 23, 2017). "Bryce Cotton key in luring new import Devondrick Walker to Perth Wildcats". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  47. O'Donoghue, Craig (August 7, 2017). "Bryce Cotton got me to Perth Wildcats, says new import Devondrick Walker". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  48. Chadwick, Justin (August 8, 2017). "New Wildcat joins Cotton's NBL happy place". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  49. O'Donoghue, Craig (November 30, 2022). "Dribble Podcast: Former Perth Wildcat and Brisbane Bullet Devondrick Walker on the challenges of import life". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
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