Jarace Walker Scouting Report: 2023 NBA Draft
By: Bryce Williams
The modern NBA prioritizes positional versatility and athleticism above all else. The game is so fast and fluid, and it leads to athletic freaks that seem to be built in a lab. There is a forward out of Houston who epitomizes all that is modern basketball, and his name is Jarace Walker.
THE BASICS:
Name: Jarace Walker
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 240 lbs
Age: 19
School: Houston
Position: Forward
THE GOOD:
Listed at 6’8”, Walker is a bionic freakazoid who 20 years ago would be someone that people would dream about having on a basketball court. He can jump out of the gym, run baseline to baseline in a blur, and not to mention, he’s also built like the Hulk. Walker’s athleticism will allow him to be hyper-switchable, almost in a Bam Adebayo esc role. He’s an elite rebounder, while also being a solid rim defender for his side. His long wingspan pairs with his vertical abilities to grab rebounds and block shots. Walker has shown the ability to spread the floor, shooting 34.7 percent on 2.8 attempts per game. His big frame allows him to bully defenders on his way to the rim, making it easy to finish in the paint.
THE BAD:
While his shot looked good in his only year at Houston, Walker is still going to need some work to become a consistent threat that defenses will need to respect. He’s a little raw off the dribble as well, but it should be fixable at the next level if NBA teams want to work with it.
PRO COMPARISON:
When I think of a 6’8”-ish, switchable, athletic defender, who has shown the ability to stretch the floor throughout his career, I imagine John Collins.
CONCLUSION:
While Collins has been subject to trade talks as of late, he is still a solid player that could contribute to a contender. Walker will never be a number one option, but he has the ability to be a fringe All-Star and a nice contributor to a championship roster. His athleticism and frame,
