Xavier University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2003
- Class:
- 1991
The best way to describe Jamal Walker is a big-time, big-game player. He was the CBS/Chevrolet Player-of-the-Game in XU's NCAA Tournament wins over Georgetown (1990) and Nebraska (1991).
With a name that certainly contradicts his style of play, he was never one to "walk" the floor. He loved an up-tempo game. He was a quick and creative player who found ways to make shots or passes, often while in mid-air, to the open man.
His creativeness earned national attention when he was named CBS/Chevrolet MVP in Xavier's 1991 NCAA Tournament win over Nebraska and the 1990 NCAA Tourney win over Georgetown. Walker collected 18 points and eight assists in the Nebraska game. During his entire career, he established himself as a player who could make the big shot or the big pass.
Walker was a four-year starter who helped Xavier average over 24 wins per season during his career as a Musketeer. XU compiled a 97-31 (.758) record during Walker's four seasons, including four NCAA Tournament bids and XU's first-ever berth in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. XU recorded its two best season records when Walker was a junior (28-5 in 1989-90) and a freshman (26-4 in 1987-88).
The senior co-captain, Walker scored in double figures 19 times, including eight of the last nine games. He also enjoyed an excellent 3.2-to-1.0 assists-to-turnover ratio during the MCC Tournament. He was selected to the 1991 Midwestern Collegiate Conference First Team and All-Tournament team as a senior. In the final 1991 MCC rankings, he finished tenth in scoring (13.7 ppg.), second in assists (5.1 apg.) and fifth in steals (1.8 spg.). He still ranks second on XU's all-time assist chart with 639 and 25th on the all-time scoring chart with 1,333 points.
Following graduation Walker played in the Japan Classic and averaged 11.0 ppg., 5.0 rpg. and 4.7 apg. in three games with other college senior all-stars.
