Samaki Walker

Last updated

Samaki Walker
Samaki Walker 2002.jpg
Samaki Walker at the White House in 2002
Personal information
Born (1976-02-25) February 25, 1976 (age 48)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school
College Louisville (1994–1996)
NBA draft 1996: 1st round, 9th overall pick
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
Playing career1996–2011
Position Power forward
Number52, 55, 5
Career history
19961999 Dallas Mavericks
19992001 San Antonio Spurs
20012003 Los Angeles Lakers
2003–2004 Miami Heat
2004–2005 Washington Wizards
2005–2006 Indiana Pacers
2006 UNICS Kazan
2007 Santa Barbara Breakers
2007–2008 Al-Jalaa Aleppo
2008–2009 Club Sagesse
2009 Shandong Lions
2009–2010 Seoul SK Knights
2010–2011Al-Jalaa Aleppo
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points 2,376 (5.3 ppg)
Rebounds 2,089 (4.7 rpg)
Blocks 316 (0.7 bpg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg 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 selected in the 1996 NBA draft 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.

Contents

Early life

Walker was born in Columbus, Ohio, the youngest of seven children. [1] He attended Eastmoor High School and Whitehall-Yearling High School. [2]

Basketball career

Early years

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. [3] [4] His 11 blocks and the team's 17 blocks in the game were both school records as well. [5] 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. [6]

A 6' 9" power forward, Walker became the youngest Maverick to appear in a game. [7] That season, new coach Don Nelson began drastically changing the makeup of the team, and Walker was actually the longest-tenured Maverick while still a rookie. [8] [9] He posted career highs in points and rebounds with 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds a game during the 1997–98 season for the Mavericks.

In the summer of 1999, Walker signed a two-year contract with the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. [10] He opted for a smaller deal to play in San Antonio rather than re-sign with Dallas, as he wanted to play under the tutelage of David Robinson and Tim Duncan. [11] He played two years with the team as a reserve.

Los Angeles Lakers

In the summer of 2001, Walker signed as a free agent with the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, who needed a power forward following the departure of veteran Horace Grant. Walker started in 63 of 69 games, averaging 6.7 points per game and 7.0 rebounds for the season, and stepped in at Center for superstar Shaquille O'Neal when injured. He recorded a season high 18 points to go with 10 rebounds in a Christmas Day win against the Philadelphia 76ers. On February 19, 2002, Walker entered the injured list because of a hyperextended elbow. [12]

Walker would only start in 5 of the Lakers 19 playoff games, with Robert Horry entrenching himself as the starter with clutch plays. In Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals on May 26, 2002, Walker made a 3-pointer at the end of halftime; by then the Sacramento Kings led over the Lakers 65–51. Although the shot counted, television replays showed Walker had released the ball after the buzzer went off. [13] The Lakers won the game 100–99 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Horry that tied the series at 2. The Lakers then won the series in 7 to advance to the Finals. Walker's shot influenced the NBA's decision to institute instant replay for review the following season. [14]

The Lakers reached the NBA Finals, defeating the New Jersey Nets in a four-game sweep to win their third straight championship and give Walker his first and only championship ring. Shaq has credited Walker for his contributions to the Lakers championship run, namely his play against Chris Webber of the Kings during the Western Conference Finals series. [15] He would be the last Laker to wear #52 before it was retired in honor of Jamaal Wilkes.

The following year, Walker was now the primary backup behind O'Neal and Horry, but still started in 39 of 67 games. The Lakers three–year reign as champions ended with a loss to the Spurs in the conference semifinals. He became a free agent after the season, and the Lakers opted to sign Karl Malone and draft Brian Cook, effectively ending his run in Los Angeles. [16]

Later years and international play

Walker signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat in 2003. [17] The following season, he signed with the Washington Wizards. He dealt with numerous injuries both years and only played 47 games over the two seasons.

Walker spent a brief seven–game stint with the Indiana Pacers [18] during the 2005–06 season and a portion of the 2007 offseason with the Milwaukee Bucks, [19] but was unable to latch on with either team.

In January 2006, Walker played in four games with the Russian Professional Basketball League team UNICS Kazan, averaging 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. [20]

In 2007, Walker joined Syria's Al-Jalaa Aleppo. [20] [21] With Al-Jalaa, Walker won the Syrian D-1 championship in 2008. [21]

In 2009, Walker signed with Chinese league's Shandong Lions. Walker later played with the Korean Basketball League's Seoul SK Knights. [22]

In January 2010, Walker was released from Korean Basketball League's Seoul SK Knights after averaging 14.1 points and 8.9 rebounds. [23] In October 2010 he signed again with Al-Jalaa Aleppo. He won a second Syrian League Championship with the team that season, and retired shortly after. [11]

Personal life

In Swahili, "Samaki" means "fish" . [1] Walker has three children, sons Dibaji [24] and Jabari, [25] and daughter Sakima. [26] After his 17-year-old nephew Deandre Hillman died from cardiac arrest in 2001, Walker joined the non-profit organization Start-A-Heart, which provides automated external defibrillators to schools and other public facilities. [27] He spent the 2006–07 season forming Life Choices Foundation, a nonprofit aiming to keep youth in inner-city Los Angeles out of trouble. [28]

In an interview with CBS Radio, Walker told Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson that Kobe Bryant suckerpunched him for his delaying payment to Kobe after he lost a $100 bet. [29]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Samaki Walker Bio". NBA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  2. "Kentucky New Era - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  3. "Kentucky at Louisville (January 1, 1995)". www.bigbluehistory.net.
  4. "The Top 5 moments in the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry". December 27, 2014.
  5. "Louisville Tops 'cats As Walker Blocks 11". Archived from the original on February 24, 2017.
  6. "Top 10 NBA Draft Fashions - TIME". Time. June 25, 2009.
  7. "HEAT Sign Free Agent Forward Samaki Walker". Miami Heat. August 1, 2003. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  8. Aron, Jaime; Cuban, Mark (June 27, 2011). Tales from the Dallas Mavericks Locker Room: A Collection of the Greatest Mavs Stories Ever Told. Sports Publishing. ISBN   9781613215616 via Google Books.
  9. "MAVERICKS-NETS TRADE: NEVER HAVE SO MANY MEANT SO LITTLE". Chicago Tribune. February 19, 1997.
  10. "ESPN.com - NBA - San Antonio Spurs preview". ESPN .
  11. 1 2 "From the N.B.A. to Playing Basketball in Pre–Civil War Syria". Vanity Fair. January 20, 2016.
  12. Springer, Steve (February 20, 2002). "Walker Is Put on Injured List". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  13. Moore, David Leon (May 27, 2002). "Horry's buzzer-beater saves day for Lakers". USA Today. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  14. Broussard, Chris (July 30, 2002). "N.B.A. Will Use Replay To Review Buzzer Shots". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  15. "Watch NBA: Online Live Basketball Games, Replays, Highlights | NBA.com". www.nba.com.
  16. "Walker Is Expected To Join Miami Today". Archived from the original on February 24, 2017.
  17. "Heat sign free agent forward Walker". Archived from the original on August 3, 2003.
  18. "Bargains & Busts: Pacers free agency scorecard".
  19. "Samaki Walker waived by Bucks | CBC Sports". CBC News . October 17, 2007. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Bucks sign Samaki Walker". Milwaukee Bucks. September 25, 2007. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  21. 1 2 "Samaki Walker". Pressiona. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  22. Yoon, Chul (October 14, 2009). "Hoops Fans Unite: KBL Returns Today". The Korea Times. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  23. Kang, Seung-woo; Yoon, Chul (January 12, 2010). "Knights Release Samaki Walker". The Korea Times. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  24. "Dibaji Walker Bio". UMass Athletics. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  25. "Jabari Walker Bio". Colorado Buffaloes Athletics. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  26. "Sakima Walker Bio". Rutgers Scarlet Knights Athletics. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  27. Brown, Tim (December 13, 2001). "Death Hit Walker Hard". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  28. "Samaki Walker". Angel Athletes Management. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  29. "Kobe Bryant Punched Me Over $100 In 2002... Ex-Teammate Says". TMZ . Retrieved May 14, 2018.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bibby</span> American basketball player (born 1978)

Michael Bibby is an American former professional basketball player. He played professionally for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He last served as the head coach for Hillcrest Prep Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. Bibby played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, with whom he won the 1997 NCAA Championship. He was drafted second overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1998 NBA draft. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in his first season with the Grizzlies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Marion</span> American basketball player (born 1978)

Shawn Dwayne Marion is an American former professional basketball player who played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Marion finished his career as a four-time NBA All-Star, a two-time member of the All-NBA Team and a one-time NBA champion, helping the Dallas Mavericks win their maiden title in 2011. Nicknamed "The Matrix" by former NBA player Kenny Smith during the preseason of his rookie year, he was widely regarded as one of the most versatile players in the league because of his athleticism and ability to play and defend many positions. He was also known for his unorthodox shooting form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Horry</span> American basketball player (born 1970)

Robert Keith Horry is an American former professional basketball player and current sports commentator. He earned the nickname "Big Shot Rob", because of his clutch shooting in important games. A seven-time NBA champion, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest clutch performers and winners in NBA history.

The 2001–02 NBA season was the 56th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season ended with the Los Angeles Lakers winning their third straight championship, beating the New Jersey Nets 4–0 in the 2002 NBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard Eisley</span> American basketball player and coach

Howard Jonathan Eisley is an American former professional basketball player and current coach. Born in Detroit, Eisley played college basketball at Boston College and was drafted in 1994 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Eisley spent twelve seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA): six with the Utah Jazz and the other six with seven other teams.

Clarence "Chucky" Brown Jr. is an American men's college basketball coach and former professional basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 NBA playoffs</span> Basketball competition

The 2002 NBA playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2001–02 season. This was the final postseason that held a best-of-5 first-round series; the 2003 NBA playoffs saw those series expand to a best-of-7 format. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets 4 games to 0 in the 2002 NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the third straight year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brook Lopez</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Brook Robert Lopez is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "Splash Mountain", he was named an NBA All-Star as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, and has been voted twice to the NBA All-Defensive Team while with the Bucks. He won an NBA championship with Milwaukee in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeAndre Jordan</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Hyland DeAndre Jordan Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Douglas-Roberts</span> American basketball player (born 1987)

Chris Douglas Roberts is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kemba Walker</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Kemba Hudley Walker is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is a player enhancement coach for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was picked ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2011 NBA draft and also played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks, before finishing his career with AS Monaco. He played college basketball for the Connecticut Huskies. In their 2010–11 season, Walker was the nation's second-leading scorer and was named consensus first-team All-American; he also led the Huskies to a 2011 NCAA championship victory and claimed the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Walker is a four-time NBA All-Star as well as a LNB Élite champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Knight (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1991)

Brandon Emmanuel Knight is an American professional basketball player who last played for AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League. A two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year, Knight played one season of college basketball for Kentucky before being selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2011 NBA draft. After two seasons with the Pistons, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. He spent a season and a half in Milwaukee before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in February 2015. In August 2018, he was traded to the Houston Rockets. At the 2019 trade deadline, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns before being traded back to the Lakers at the 2020 trade deadline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Markieff Morris</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Markieff Morris is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before being drafted 13th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. Morris won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Mavericks' 17th season in the National Basketball Association. The Mavericks had the ninth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected Samaki Walker from the University of Louisville. In the off-season, the team signed free agents Chris Gatling, Oliver Miller, and former Mavs guard Derek Harper, and acquired Eric Montross from the Boston Celtics, and signed undrafted rookie guard Erick Strickland. Under new head coach Jim Cleamons, the Mavericks struggles continued with a 4–10 start in November. With the team not showing any improvement, they traded All-Star guard Jason Kidd to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for second-year star Michael Finley, Sam Cassell and A.C. Green in late December. The Mavericks continued to struggle as they held a 16–28 record at the All-Star break.

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Mavericks' 19th season in the National Basketball Association. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled.

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Lakers' 55th season in the National Basketball Association, and 43rd in the city of Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as the three-time defending champions, having defeated the New Jersey Nets in four straight games in the 2002 NBA Finals, winning their fourteenth NBA championship. With All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal sidelined early in the season after an off-season right foot and toe surgery, the Lakers got off to a terrible 3–9 start. After he returned, the team only improved slowly, having an 11–19 record 30 games into the season, their worst start in nine years. However, the Lakers would recover from their slow start, and hold a 24–23 record at the All-Star break, ninth place in the Western Conference at the time, and out of playoff position. The Lakers won 11 of their final 13 games ending the season with a 50–32 record, finishing fifth in the Western Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 NBA playoffs</span> North American basketball tournament

The 2020 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2019–20 season. The playoffs were originally scheduled to begin on April 18. However, the league suspended the season on March 11, 2020, hours after the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlik Jones</span> South Sudanese-American basketball player (born 1997)

Carlik Anthony Jones is an American-South Sudanese professional basketball player for Partizan Mozzart Bet of the ABA League, Basketball League of Serbia (KLS) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Radford Highlanders and the Louisville Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabari Walker</span> American basketball player (born 2002)

Jabari Dominic Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the son of Samaki Walker. He played college basketball for the Colorado Buffaloes. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 as a sophomore with Colorado.