Walker was born December 14, 1998, in Reading, Pennsylvania. He attended Reading Senior High School in Reading.[1] Walker made his varsity basketball debut as a freshman and played 27 games averaging eight points per game, and later as a sophomore he averaged 16.9 points per game in a short season due to injury. In 29 games, as a junior, he averaged 17.1 points per game.
During his senior year, Walker was named a McDonald's All-American and voted Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball.[2][3] He averaged a career best 18.4 points per game and surpassed Reading High grad and former NBA player Donyell Marshall's school record in points by finishing with 1,828 total points scored. On March 25, 2017, Walker led Reading Senior High School to their first state championship in the program's 117-year history in a 64–60 win over the Pine-Richland Rams. Walker finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three assists.[4]
Walker made his collegiate debut with the Miami Hurricanes on November 10, 2017, recording 10 points and a season-high five assists coming off the bench in a 77–45 blowout win over Gardner-Webb University. He created new highs of 12 points and 5 rebounds on December 2 in an 80–52 blowout win against Princeton University before recording season-highs of 26 points and 7 rebounds during his first collegiate start three days later in a 69–54 win over Boston University. Against Louisville, he scored a game-high 25 points including an acrobatic layup in traffic to force overtime. In a game against Boston College, he hit a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to win 79–78.[6] Walker finished the season averaging 11.5 points per game and was named to the ACC all-freshman team.[7][8]
After his sole season with Miami concluded, Walker declared for the 2018 NBA draft.[9]
Professional career
San Antonio Spurs (2018–2022)
On June 21, 2018, Walker was selected with the 18th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2018 NBA draft. Walker was later included in the 2018 NBA Summer League roster of the Spurs.[10] On July 11, 2018, the Spurs announced that they signed Walker.[11] On October 6, 2018, Walker was revealed to have a right medial meniscus tear.[12] On November 25, 2018, the San Antonio Spurs assigned Walker the first time of the season to the Austin Spurs.[13] Walker made his NBA debut on January 3, 2019, in a 125–107 win against the Toronto Raptors, scoring three points and grabbing one rebound in five minutes of play.[14]
On December 3, 2019, Walker scored a career-high 28 points, including 19 in the 4th quarter, in a 135–133 double overtime win over the Houston Rockets with four rebounds, three steals and a block.[15]
Los Angeles Lakers (2022–2023)
On July 6, 2022, Walker signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year, $6.5M contract.[16] He began the 2022–23 season playing in 32 games, all starts, before being sidelined beginning in late December with knee tendinitis.[17][18] At the time, he was averaging 14.7 points in 29.8 minutes per game and shooting 45.5% from the field and 38.9% on 3-pointers.[18] He seemed to be the Lakers top scorer after LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.[19] Walker returned after missing 14 games,[17] but his playing time was limited with the development of Austin Reaves and particularly after the Lakers acquired D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura before the trade deadline.[18][19] After playing in a bit shy of 28 minutes through the first eight games of the 2023 playoffs, Walker returned to the rotation and scored 12 points in 25 minutes in a 127–97 win over Golden State, giving the Lakers a 2–1 series lead in the conference semifinals.[18] In Game 4, he scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers overcome a seven-point deficit and win 104–101.[20]
Brooklyn Nets (2023–2024)
On July 10, 2023, Walker signed a reported one-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets.[21] On June 29, 2024, Walker said after the season finale he was unsatisfied with the disrespect he received from the Brooklyn Nets' coaching staff and became a free agent after the season.
On August 28, Walker signed a reported one-year contract with the Boston Celtics,[22] but was waived on October 19.[23]
Walker is the son of Lonnie Walker III who moved from New Jersey to Reading, Pennsylvania, to play basketball at Alvernia University.[25] Walker III dropped out of university when Walker IV was born in 1998 and he had to raise his son as a single parent while working multiple jobs.[25][26] Walker IV was encouraged to read after school by his father and maintains reading as part of his pregame ritual.[26]
Walker has a dog named Zola, who appeared with him in a PETA ad campaign, reminding people not to leave their dogs in hot, parked cars.[27]
In June 2020, Walker revealed he had been the victim of sexual abuse by family members as an adolescent, and had grown out his trademark long hairstyle as a coping mechanism. In deciding to cut his hair, Walker described the act as having "shed my skin mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually."[28]
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