Jordan Walker (basketball)

Jordan Walker
Walker with UAB in 2021
No. 1 – Promitheas Patras
PositionPoint guard
LeagueGBL
BCL
Personal information
Born (1999-08-11) August 11, 1999 (age 25)
Long Island, New York, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2023: undrafted
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–2024Texas Legends
2024Osos de Manatí
2024Hong Kong Bulls
2024–presentPromitheas Patras
Career highlights and awards

Jordan "Jelly" Walker (born August 11, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for Promitheas Patras of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the Basketball Champions League (BCL). He played college basketball for the Seton Hall Pirates, Tulane Green Wave and UAB Blazers.

High school career

Walker grew up in Port Washington, New York. He began his high school career at Long Island Lutheran High School. Dissatisfied with the lack of playing time there, he transferred to The Patrick School after his sophomore year. Walker averaged 9.7 points per game for the Celics as a junior.[1] As a senior, he averaged 11.9 points and 4.8 assists per game, leading the team to a 29–4 record and earning First Team All-State honors from NJHoops.com.[2] Walker posted a 31-point, seven-assist performance against Linden High School and helped The Patrick School win the Tournament of Champions.

Walker considered doing a postgraduate season at Montverde Academy, but ultimately remained in the Class of 2017. He committed to playing college basketball for Seton Hall, choosing the Pirates over California, Pittsburgh and UMass.[3]

College career

At Seton Hall, Walker missed several weeks with torn ligaments in his hand as a freshman and averaged 1.8 points per game. Following the season, he transferred to Tulane.[4]

After sitting out a transfer season, Walker averaged eight points, 2.2 rebounds and two assists per game as a redshirt sophomore.[5] As a redshirt junior, he averaged 13 points, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.[6]

Following the 2020–21 season, Walker transferred to UAB.[7] On February 5, 2022, he scored a UAB program record 42 points in a 97–75 victory over Middle Tennessee State.[8] Walker was named Conference USA Player of the Year as well as Newcomer of the Year. He is the second UAB player to earn Conference USA Player of the Year honors, alongside Aaron Johnson, in 2011.[9] On April 11, 2022, Walker declared for the 2022 NBA draft, while maintaining his college eligibility.[10] On May 12, 2022, Walker withdrew his name from NBA draft consideration. He returned to UAB for the 2022–23 season.[11]

Professional career

Texas Legends (2023–2024)

After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Walker joined the Dallas Mavericks for the 2023 NBA Summer League. On August 14, 2023, he signed with the Mavericks,[12] but was waived on October 14.[13] On October 29, he joined the Texas Legends.[14] He averaged 20.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals and scored 41.3% of his three-point shots.[15]

Osos de Manatí (2024)

On March 29, 2024, Walker signed with the Osos de Manatí of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.[15] However, he was waived on April 16 after suffering an injury.[16]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Seton Hall 17 0 7.2 .323 .316 .417 .5 .9 .4 .1 1.8
2018–19 Tulane Redshirt Redshirt
2019–20 Tulane 30 22 25.9 .405 .375 .740 2.2 2.0 1.7 .0 8.0
2020–21 Tulane 23 23 33.5 .398 .326 .826 2.0 4.3 1.7 .0 13.0
2021–22 UAB 34 33 31.8 .400 .396 .880 2.8 4.9 1.5 .0 20.3
2022–23 UAB 33 32 33.5 .403 .378 .846 2.8 4.2 1.2 .0 22.3
Career 137 110 28.1 .400 .377 .830 2.2 3.5 1.4 .0 14.5

Personal life

Walker earned the nickname "Jelly" after he joined the Jelly Fam collective,[17] a basketball movement founded by Isaiah Washington centered on finger roll layups.[18]

References

  1. ^ Cordova, David (May 10, 2017). "Jordan Walker: Seton Hall Commit Takes Tri-State Area By Storm". Dave's Joint. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Carino, Jerry (May 1, 2017). "Seton Hall fans: 3 things to know about Jordan Walker". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Schneider, Jeremy (May 1, 2017). "Patrick School point guard Jordan Walker commits to Seton Hall (with video)". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  4. ^ Smith, Guerry (May 29, 2018). "Tulane basketball lands Seton Hall transfer Jordan Walker, who must sit out next season per NCAA rules". The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  5. ^ "A New Look for the American: Tulane Basketball". CBB Review. June 3, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  6. ^ "Kennedy Adds Jordan Walker to Roster". UAB Blazers. June 11, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  7. ^ Dudley, Evan (June 11, 2021). "UAB adds Tulane transfer Jordan Walker". Al.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Dudley, Evan (February 5, 2022). "Jordan Walker sets UAB single-game scoring record in win over MTSU". Al.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Dudley, Evan (March 7, 2022). "Jordan "Jelly" Walker named C-USA Player of the Year". Al.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Dudley, Evan (April 12, 2022). "Jordan "Jelly" Walker declares for NBA Draft; maintains college eligibility". Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Jordan ‘Jelly’ Walker forgoes NBA Draft; will return to UAB"
  12. ^ Sefko, Eddie (August 14, 2023). "Mavericks sign three, including Fall Classic alumnus". Mavs.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  13. ^ Mavs PR [@MavsPR] (October 14, 2023). "The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have waived guard Mike Miles Jr., guard Jordan Walker and guard/forward Joe Wieskamp" (Tweet). Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Wynn, Britney (October 29, 2023). "LEGENDS DRAFT FOUR, FINALIZE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER". NBA.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "SHELDON MAC Y JORDAN WALKER SERÁN LOS REFUERZOS DE OSOS DE MANATÍ". CanchaLatina.com (in Spanish). March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  16. ^ "Ray Spalding es el nuevo refuerzo de los Osos de Manatí". ElVocero.com (in Spanish). April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "Jelly Fam: Where are they now?"
  18. ^ Dudley, Evan (January 4, 2022). "'Temper it down': Jordan "Jelly" Walker fueling UAB's impressive start". Al.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.