C. J. Walker (basketball)

C. J. Walker (born March 29, 2001) is an American college basketball player for the Oregon Ducks of the Pac-12 Conference.

C. J. Walker
Walker in December 2019
No. 14 – Oregon Ducks
PositionPower forward
LeaguePac-12 Conference
Personal information
Born (2001-03-29) March 29, 2001
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeOregon (2019–present)
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school career

Walker lived in Queens, New York until age 12, when his family moved to Sanford, Florida. He grew up playing against older opponents due to his height.[1] As a freshman, Walker played basketball for Seminole High School in Sanford. For his next two years, he transferred to Orlando Christian Prep in Orlando, Florida, where played with five-star recruit Nassir Little and won back-to-back Class 3A state titles in a limited role.[2] After his junior season, Walker emerged as a top player in his class with his travel team, Each 1 Teach 1.[1] As a senior, he began playing for Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, averaging 15.8 points, 13.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game. Walker was named Orlando Sentinel Player of the Year and Class 9A Player of the Year and was the runner-up to Vernon Carey Jr. for the Florida Mr. Basketball award.[3][4][5] He was selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic in April 2019.[6]

Recruiting

On November 21, 2018, Walker committed to play college basketball for Oregon over offers from LSU and Miami (Florida).[7] He was considered a five-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals and a four-star recruit by 247Sports.[8]

College career

On December 7, 2019, Walker made his first career start, due to a leg injury to Shakur Juiston, and scored a freshman season-high 18 points in an 89–64 win over Hawaii.[9] He suffered a back injury against Alabama State on December 29. Walker played in his next game versus Colorado, before being sidelined with back and knee injuries until January 16, 2020.[10] As a freshman, he averaged four points and 2.5 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game.[11]

References
  1. Collings, Buddy (July 19, 2018). "C.J. Walker soars as NCAA basketball prospect". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  2. Collings, Buddy (September 19, 2018). "C.J. Walker went from state champ OCP to another: Oak Ridge". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  3. Carnahan, J. C. (March 21, 2019). "Oak Ridge senior C.J. Walker named FABC Class 9A player of year". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  4. Collings, Buddy (March 23, 2019). "C.J. Walker tops All-Area basketball list". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  5. Collings, Buddy (March 28, 2019). "Vernon Carey Jr. tops C.J. Walker for Florida Mr. Basketball". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  6. Gordon, Sam (April 19, 2019). "Jordan Brand Classic all-star game features best prep players". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  7. Borzello, Jeff (November 21, 2018). "Five-star forward C.J. Walker announces commitment to Oregon". ESPN. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  8. "C.J. Walker". University of Oregon Athletics. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  9. Crepea, James (December 7, 2019). "Payton Pritchard's double-double, C.J. Walker's season-high 18 lead Oregon Ducks men's basketball past Hawaii". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  10. Crepea, James (January 8, 2020). "Ducks Oregon Ducks freshman forward C.J. Walker likely out 'a few games'". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  11. Welter, Pat (May 24, 2020). "Unfinished Business: Oregon's C.J. Walker". News 13. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
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