Samaki Walker at the White House in 2002.
|
|
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born |
Columbus, Ohio |
February 25, 1976
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
Career information | |
High school |
Eastmoor (Columbus, Ohio) Whitehall-Yearling (Whitehall, Ohio) |
College | Louisville (1994–1996) |
NBA draft | 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th overall |
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks | |
Playing career | 1996–2011 |
Position | Power forward |
Number | 52, 55, 5 |
Career history | |
1996–1999 | Dallas Mavericks |
1999–2001 | San Antonio Spurs |
2001–2003 | Los Angeles Lakers |
2003–2004 | Miami Heat |
2004–2005 | Washington Wizards |
2005–2006 | Indiana Pacers |
2006 | UNICS Kazan |
2007 | Santa Barbara Breakers |
2007 | Al-Jalaa Aleppo |
2008–2009 | Club Sagesse |
2009 | Shandong Lions |
2009–2010 | Seoul SK Knights |
2010–2011 | Al-Jalaa Aleppo |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Samaki Ijuma Walker (born February 25, 1976) is an American retired professional basketball power forward and center. Walker played college basketball at the University of Louisville and was drafted in 1996 by the Dallas Mavericks, where he played until 1999. Walker continued to play for the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs (1999–2001), Los Angeles Lakers (2001–2003), Miami Heat (2003–2004), Washington Wizards (2004–2005), and Indiana Pacers (2005–2006). Afterwards, Walker played in various international and minor leagues.
Walker was born in Columbus, Ohio, the youngest of seven children. He attended Eastmoor High School and Whitehall-Yearling High School.
Denny Crum recruited Walker to attend the University of Louisville, where he enjoyed two successful seasons playing for the Cardinals. He recorded the first triple double in school history, with 14 points, 10 boards and 11 blocks in a win over their rival the Kentucky Wildcats. His 11 blocks and the team's 17 blocks in the game were both school records as well. Walker decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the 1996 NBA Draft. Selected ninth overall by the Dallas Mavericks, Walker drew widespread attention on draft day for wearing an all-white suit with a matching fedora.