With the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards selected Houston forward Jarace Walker. The Wizards are trading Walker to the Indiana Pacers, along with two future second-round picks, in exchange for No. 7 pick Bilal Coulibaly.
One of the second-round picks in the deal is a selection the Wizards acquired from the Phoenix Suns this week in the reported Bradley Beal trade, a source told The Athletic's David Aldridge.
In his lone season with the Cougars, Walker made a name for himself as a dominant defensive force. The versatile forward started all but one game for one of the country's best teams. He earned AAC all-freshman honors and was sixth among all Division I players in defensive win shares.
Walker averaged 11.2 points at Houston and might be raw offensively to begin his NBA career. But his defensive prowess and energy on the glass should be noticeable right away. Standing at 6-foot-7, Walker's 7-foot-3 wingspan allows him to play bigger than his height would suggest.
Bio
Position: Forward
School: Houston
College experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 249 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-3
Max vertical: 38 inches
2022-23 stats with Houston
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 46.5 | 34.7 | 66.3 | 6.8 | 1.8 | 11.2 |
Strengths
- Can defend at least three positions. Agile enough to handle quicker forwards, with the power and length to play a small-ball center role at times. Comfortable switching onto guards in the pick-and-roll.
- Powerful finisher in the paint. Explosive athlete who can elevate to finish over taller defenders.
- Despite low assist numbers, has shown the ability to make the right pass out of the short roll and keep the offense moving.
- Strong, high-energy rebounder at both ends of the floor.
Weaknesses
- Low 3-point volume and low free-throw percentage create concern about how his shooting will translate to the next level. Somewhat awkward shooting form, rather than one fluid motion.
- Not a high-usage player. May not be able to scale up his on-ball role for lineups that need him to be more of a scorer.
- Shaky handle at times; won't often beat defenders off the dribble from the perimeter. Projects to be more of a play finisher than a shot creator.
NBA comparable: Paul Millsap. The two have similar physical measurements as somewhat undersized power forwards with elite wingspans. Walker projects to be an excellent, versatile defender, as Millsap was in his prime. He'll also need to become a more reliable and consistent 3-point shooter, which Millsap achieved later in his career. Walker has potential to be one of the better two-way forwards in the league.
