M. J. Walker

James Michael "M. J." Walker Jr. (born March 28, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He played college basketball for Florida State Seminoles.

M. J. Walker

Walker with Florida State in 2018
No. 1 – Canterbury Rams
Position	Small forward / shooting guard
League	NZNBL
Personal information
Born	(1998-03-28) March 28, 1998 (age 26) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight	213 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school	Jonesboro (Jonesboro, Georgia)
College	Florida State (2017–2021)
NBA draft	2021: undrafted
Playing career	2021–present
Career history
2021–2023	Westchester Knicks
2021–2022	Phoenix Suns
2023	Vancouver Bandits
2023	Brampton Honey Badgers
2023–2024	Saint-Quentin
2024	Greensboro Swarm
2024–present	Canterbury Rams
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-ACC (2021) McDonald's All-American (2017) Nike Hoop Summit (2017)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals Men's basketball Representing  United States FIBA Americas U18 Championship 2016 Chile Team

High school career

 

Walker at the 2017 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

Walker attended Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Georgia. He initially played football but he decided to focus on basketball after the summer of 2016. As a sophomore in 2014–15, Walker averaged 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 steals leading Jonesboro to a 32–1 record and the 2015 Georgia Class 4A state championship. As a junior in 2015–16, Walker averaged 22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists leading Jonesboro to a 28–5 record, regional title, and 2015 state title. As a senior in 2016–17, Walker averaged 27.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists leading Jonesboro to a 23–6 record.

Recruiting

Walker was a five-star recruit who received offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, UCLA, and Virginia Tech. Walker committed to playing college basketball for Florida State.^[1]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
M. J. Walker SG	Riverdale, GA	Jonesboro (GA)	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	207 lb (94 kg)	May 24, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 92
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 27  247Sports: 35  ESPN: 27
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Florida State 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018. "2017 Florida State Seminoles Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018. "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018.

College career

As a sophomore, Walker averaged 7.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Florida State compiled a 29–8 record and reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.^[2] At the conclusion of his junior season, Walker was named All-ACC Honorable Mention.^[3] As a senior, he averaged 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing the additional season of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[4]

Professional career

Westchester Knicks (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Walker signed with the New York Knicks on August 20, 2021,^[5] but was waived on October 16.^[6] In October 2021, he joined the Westchester Knicks as an affiliate player.^[7] Walker averaged 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

Phoenix Suns (2021–2022)

He signed a 10-day COVID-19 hardship exemption contract with the Phoenix Suns on December 30, 2021.^[8] He appeared briefly in two games for the Suns that season.

Return to Westchester (2022–2023)

On January 9, 2022, Walker was reacquired by the Westchester Knicks. On September 22, Walker resigned with the Knicks on a training camp deal but was waived a day later.^[9]

On October 24, 2022, Walker was named to the training camp roster for the Knicks.^[10]

Vancouver Bandits (2023)

On June 6, 2023, Walker signed with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.^[11] However, he was released on July 8 after averaging 11.2 points through 9 games for the club.^[12]

Brampton Honey Badgers (2023)

On July 29, 2023, Walker signed with the Brampton Honey Badgers ahead of the postseason.^[13]

Saint-Quentin (2023–2024)

On August 3, 2023, Walker signed with Saint-Quentin of the LNB Pro A.^[14]

Greensboro Swarm (2024)

On January 19, 2024, Walker joined the Greensboro Swarm.^[15]

Canterbury Rams (2024–present)

On March 12, 2024, Walker signed with the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the 2024 season.^[16]

National team career

Walker played for the United States national under-18 team at the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile. In four games, he averaged 2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, helping his team win the gold medal.^[17]

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

NBA

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021–22	Phoenix	2	0	4.2	.000	.000	–	.5	.5	1.0	.0	.0
Career		2	0	4.2	.000	.000	–	.5	.5	1.0	.0	.0

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2017–18	Florida State	35	1	18.8	.379	.345	.754	1.7	1.1	.6	.1	7.0
2018–19	Florida State	35	34	25.9	.340	.328	.778	2.2	1.6	.8	.2	7.5
2019–20	Florida State	26	24	25.2	.371	.361	.803	1.7	1.5	.8	.2	10.6
2020–21	Florida State	24	23	29.0	.436	.423	.797	2.5	2.5	.9	.4	12.2
Career		120	82	24.3	.380	.361	.785	2.0	1.6	.8	.2	9.0

Personal life

Walker is the son of James and Jackie Walker, and has an older sister, Amoni, who plays for Miles College. His father, James, played college basketball at Norfolk State University and his mother, Jackie, played women's college basketball for Hampton University.^[18]

References

1. "ESPN Recruiting Profile of M. J. Walker". ESPN. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
2. McGahee, Wayne (March 29, 2019). "What will Florida State men's basketball look like next season?". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
3. "2020 ACC Men's Basketball Award Winners Announced". theacc.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
4. Staley, Antwan (May 13, 2021). "Florida State guard M.J. Walker officially declares for 2021 NBA Draft". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
5. "Knicks Sign M.J. Walker". NBA.com. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
6. "Knicks Waive Brandon Knight, Aamir Simms and M.J. Walker". NBA.com. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
7. "Westchester Knicks Announce Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
8. Zimmerman, Kevin (December 30, 2021). "Phoenix Suns sign M.J. Walker on 10-day hardship deal". Arizona Sports. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
9. "2021-22 NBA G League transactions". gleague.nba.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
10. "Westchester Knicks Announce 2022-23 Training Camp Roster". oursportscentral.com. October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
11. "Bandits Sign NBA-Experienced Guard MJ Walker". TheBandits.ca. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
12. "Vancouver Bandits Release MJ Walker". TheBandits.ca. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
13. Warrener, Kyle (July 29, 2023). "NBA EXPERIENCED GUARD M.J. WALKER SIGNS WITH HONEY BADGERS AHEAD OF POSTSEASON PLAY". HoneyBadgers.ca. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
14. "Saint-Quentin officialise l'arrivée de M.J. Walker". BEBasket.fr (in French). August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
15. "Swarm Complete Transaction with Westchester Knicks". NBA.com. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
16. "Former NBA Guard MJ Walker Signs With Rams". canterburyrams.basketball. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
17. "James Michael Walker". fiba.basketball. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
18. "M. J. Walker at Florida State University". Athletics at Florida State University. July 28, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.

External links

• Florida State Seminoles bio