Walker Says He’s Back
Everyone has heard the rumors about Ty Walker transferring from Wake Forest, including Ty Walker.
Today, after the Deacons’ pre-ACC Tournament practice in Greensboro Coliseum, Walker set the record straight.
“I’m 100 percent back,’’ Walker said. “I’ve heard all the rumors and everything, and I don’t say any of those things. I’ll be back next year.’‘
Walker, a sophomore who two years ago was one of the most highly-rated centers in high school basketball, has played in only six of the Deacons’ 28 games. His last appearance was a two-minute stint at UNC Wilmington in his hometown on Dec. 16. He said he did expect more after playing in 11 games as a freshman.
“I thought I was going to get some of an opportunity,’’ Walker said. “I wasn’t asking this year to be the first, second or even third option. But I thought I was going to be the fourth option. I didn’t know it wasn’t going to turn out like this, but I’m fine either way.’‘
With the graduation of seniors Chas McFarland and David Weaver, and highly possible (if not probable) departure of sophomore Al-Farouq Aminu to the NBA, the Deacons will be looking for inside players next season to play alongside sophomore Tony Woods. The only other potential post player on the roster is Nikita Mescheriakov, a 6-8 transfer from Georgetown who will become eligible second semester next season, though the incoming recruiting class does include 6-8 Melvin Tabb or Raleigh and 6-11 Carson Derosiers of Lawrence, Mass.
“I think most definitely I’ll get a chance, God willing,’’ Walker said. “Me and Coach (Gaudio) talk on a regular basis and he tells me that next year, I mean it won’t be my year, but he’s going to give me the opportunity. And what I do with the opportunity is up to me,’‘
Walker, according the the Wake coaches, needed to grow both physically and emotionally, and he admits to certain, unspecified behavior that didn’t set well with the staff. In midseason Gaudio had Walker begin to practice with the Scout team to prepare the Deacons for an upcoming opponent, and he also put Walker and Mescheriakov on a weight-training program that has them lifting four times a week.
“(It was) just not agreeing with the coaches about some things, and I guess sometimes worrying about myself a little too much,’’ Walker said. “But I’ve grown over the year, and now it’s more about being a team player and putting myself to the side.’‘