Welcome to “That’s A Wrap,” our player-by-player recap of the 2023-24 Indiana Hoosiers. Immediately: Anthony Walker.
Walker (32 video games): 5.1 factors, 2.3 rebounds and 48.3 FG% in 14.1 minutes per recreation.
Beforehand: Gabe Cupps, Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau, Kel’el Ware, Kaleb Banks, CJ Gunn, Payton Sparks, Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal
A switch portal addition from Miami (FL) final spring, Anthony Walker introduced no scarcity of expertise when he arrived on campus late final summer time.
A 6-foot-8 ahead initially from Baltimore, Maryland, Walker spent 4 seasons taking part in for the Hurricanes within the ACC and reached an Elite Eight in 2022 and a Last 4 in 2023.
Indiana was conversant in Walker from the 2023 NCAA event when he scored 4 factors and grabbed two rebounds for Miami in an 85-69 win over IU at MVP Enviornment in Albany, New York.
From day one, Walker stood out for his positivity and communication expertise. He nearly all the time had a smile on his face, whether or not in media interviews, on the bench or the court docket.
“I’m going to ensure everyone seems to be all the time unfastened, even in very robust adversity conditions I’m going to ensure everybody’s all the time unfastened and cozy,” Walker mentioned final fall at media day. “That’s one thing I take pleasure in.”
A member of the rotation all season, Walker served as a backup for freshman Mackenzie Mgbako on the three and Malik Reneau on the 4. He posted an offensive ranking of 106.8, simply the best of his five-year profession.
Walker shot 54.5 p.c on 2s for the season and 75 p.c from the free-throw line. He acquired to the road 64 occasions and posted a free-throw fee (FTA/FGA) of 55.2 p.c, which was simply behind Xavier Johnson for the highest spot on the crew amongst rotation regulars.
Whereas the 3-point shot wasn’t a power for Walker – he shot simply 2-for-17 from distance – he was capable of affect video games along with his athleticism within the paint frequently.
He was pivotal in IU’s come-from-behind win in opposition to Louisville at Madison Sq. Backyard on Nov. 20, scoring 11 factors and grabbing seven rebounds in 20 minutes.
In a three-game stretch in late December, Walker scored in double figures in three straight video games, together with an 18-point, nine-rebound effort in opposition to Morehead State. The Hoosiers, who trailed 64-49 with 8:58 in that contest, wouldn’t have prevailed with out Walker’s scoring punch.
“Phenomenal. He deserves the MVP tonight,” Mike Woodson mentioned of Walker postgame. “He performed 22 minutes, had 18 factors, 9 rebounds. By far his finest recreation since he’s been carrying an Indiana uniform. We wanted each little bit of it to win this recreation tonight. He will get the sport ball based mostly on what he did tonight.”
Walker didn’t rating in double figures as soon as in a Massive Ten recreation, however he was the closest factor Indiana needed to an everyday offensive contributor off the bench.
Close to the tip of the common season, Walker needed to depart the Minnesota highway recreation with an obvious knee damage, however he was capable of swimsuit up and play within the ultimate three video games in opposition to Michigan State, Penn State and Nebraska to shut out his profession.
Backside line: Walker was a strong addition to the Indiana roster, offering constructive power when he entered the sport off the bench. His athleticism and offensive recreation in and across the paint have been strengths for many of the season. His contributions in opposition to Louisville and Morehead State have been game-savers for the Hoosiers and he all the time appeared to have a smile on his face whatever the scenario.
Quotable: “I all the time say momentum is a robust pressure and that’s the attractive half about this sport is as soon as issues begin going effectively, all the things begins going effectively. I believe a very powerful a part of their run is the truth that we didn’t stray away from one another. We form of stayed collectively, saved encouraging one another, saved taking part in Indiana basketball as a result of errors are going to occur.” – Walker after IU erased a 15-point deficit in opposition to Morehead State on Dec. 19.
Filed to: Anthony Walker
