DePaul University Athletics
Walker Connects From Long Distance Once Again
6/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – Taking part in commencement on Sunday and receiving his diploma meant the world to former DePaul basketball standout Will Walker who celebrated the magic moment with family and friends.
After a sparkling career that saw the 6-foot, 1-inch guard score 1,361 points and finish second all-time in three-pointers, he had a difficult choice to make in the spring of his senior year.
The only player in DePaul history with 1,300 career points and 195 three-pointers got a call from his agent in New York who wanted Walker to begin working out with the agent's trainers in preparation for a pro career.
"It was a tough decision, and I wish I could have finished on time, Walker said. "But I felt like it was something I needed to do."
That led to a highly successful career in Europe with two seasons in Bulgaria and three in Hungary. In the 2013-14 season, he played on a Hungarian team with former Blue Demon Matija Poscic. He played on a team in Saudi Arabia with former Blue Demon Levar Seals for two months before returning to Hungary.
Walker ran into ex-Blue Demon and current Chicago Sky star Allie Quigley last February when the Hungarian National Team she plays on had a workout in his gym.
The 28-year-old Bolingbrook resident needed six classes to earn a degree in communications and began taking on-line classes in June of 2015. He finished two classes last summer and three during the basketball season. He wrapped it up with one final class in the spring quarter.
"Taking classes while I played in Hungary wasn't too difficult," Walker. "I'm older now and have much better time management. I've matured since my college days and have my priorities in line. I made sure to get the work done early."
With Hungary being seven hours ahead of Chicago, he was careful to get the work done around his basketball schedule. Maturity brought about increased self-discipline.
"There's a lot of down time when you're playing pro basketball," Walker said. "There was time to do my homework during our long road trips. Even though we had the games and two practices a day, you still have time.
"I promised my family and people around DePaul that I would get my degree. I always knew I would finish. My parents always brought it up on the phone, asking how many classes I had left. If not for those reminders, it could have gotten away from me."
Instead, it was time to celebrate good times on Sunday.
"It feels real good," Walker said. "There was a little bit of a feeling like: ‘Is it really happening now?' Then, when I got my bag with the cap and gown, I couldn't stop smiling. That's when it felt like I was really going to get that degree."
Playing basketball overseas and learning to thrive in foreign environments became educational tools.
"In my situation, it actually helped being overseas," Walker said. "I could offer a different perspective in discussions and in writing papers. My teachers appreciated incorporating my life experiences, and it was something out of the ordinary.
"One of my professors, Sydney Dillard, kept in touch with me. One time she contacted me out of the blue and told me how proud she was of me working towards my degree and not making excuses about having to work and being so far away."
On the court, Walker has adapted well to the next level.
"The biggest difference between college and the international pro game is how much smarter the players are," he said. "There are rarely any bad or forced shots, and offenses will pick you apart at any mistake you make defensively.
"It is a non-stop grind working hard every day and leaving it all on the floor on game days. My body was always little sore from all the ‘Euro screens'.
"It is a great experience being a pro on so many different levels---from the great talent I play with and compete against to the head turns you create throughout the cities you play in. It's always a good feeling to inspire the youngsters to know that it is possible to be a pro even if it may not be in your own country.
"And no matter what, always remember it's a blessing to be playing professionally. Don't take any of it for granted because there are hundreds of guys wishing for a spot."
Walker said he will contact his agent later in the summer to assess his situation before deciding about a return to Hungary. If he chooses to stay home, he could pursue a master's degree at DePaul.
"For other players thinking about coming back for their degree, I'd tell them it isn't as difficult as they think," Walker said. "As we grow older, we're a little wiser and learn more.
"Everybody thinks it will be too much of a workload. But if you really want that degree, you'll find ways to squeeze it in. Doing it that way gives you an even bigger sense of accomplishment and motivates you to want more."
