Jarace Walker (F) - Houston

[jezzerinho]

Surprised not to see a thread on this kid, so here we go.

I'm not sure there's been a more impressive freshman so far this year than him.

Big-framed kid with huge shoulders and plenty of muscle, but it belies a fluidity and bounciness you'd expect of a much leaner guy.

Listed by Houston as 6'8" and 240lbs with a supposed 7'2" wingspan. 2022 McDs All-Am.

Terrific defender on and off ball. Really active hands and feet, massive motor for defending transitions or making closeouts. Can stay in front of guards with great footwork and technique. Some shot blocking ability, as he can get up quickly off one or both feet.

Just constantly switched on without being tight or jumpy. He stays composed and fluid but while putting in 100% effort. Seems to be a details kid, as most of his game is reallyfundamentally sound.

Very decent shooter, gets it off quickly and fluidly. Ball can come out a bit flat, especially off pull-up. Currently shooting 40%. Haven't seen his shot chart but doesn't look to be too restricted to particular spots.

Passing is a real plus trait. Vision is good and the passes are zippy and put in the right spots. Nothing advanced but you can tell he sees.the.game well.

Iso game looks to have upside, as does his work in the paint.

I have to say I'm very intrigued with this guy. That heady blend of size, bounce, effort, composure and shooting touch is hard to ignore. Plus he's putting it on tape, while playing team-first basketball.

[reanimator]

I was very skeptical of his shooting but I think I've bought in. The physical tools, defensive versatility, not quick twitch but mobile and strong, the passing, and I've even seen him knock down step back 3s. Too much to like there to not have high lotto. I undersold Scottie Barnes as a scorer and don't want to make that same mistake.

[The-Power]

I really like him. I have him in the 3-8 range where a lot of movement can still happen. But I'll repeat what I have mentioned many times before: a player like him cannot have such a poor FTr and shy away from contact. If he can fix that, he'll have a good chance at being a top 5 pick (for me at least).

[jezzerinho]

I really like him. I have him in the 3-8 range where a lot of movement can still happen. But I'll repeat what I have mentioned many times before: a player like him cannot have such a poor FTr and shy away from contact. If he can fix that, he'll have a good chance at being a top 5 pick (for me at least).

I'm not yet convinced he can't survive as a 3.5 type guy - more perimeter based but switchable on D onto bigs when called for. Most seem to see him as more a 4.5. Not sure that's putting him in the best spot to thrive. If he is played as a big, then I agree he needs to do better with FTs and contact in general.

[jezzerinho]

You watch him and you try to envisage him failing in the NBA and it just seems soooo unlikely. Aaron Gordon or Jerami Grant would be a very achievable prototype.

[SeattleJazzFan]

anybody know why he didn't play last night? injury?

[The-Power]

anybody know why he didn't play last night? injury?

Running a fever apparently.

[The-Power]

I really like him. I have him in the 3-8 range where a lot of movement can still happen. But I'll repeat what I have mentioned many times before: a player like him cannot have such a poor FTr and shy away from contact. If he can fix that, he'll have a good chance at being a top 5 pick (for me at least).

I'm not yet convinced he can't survive as a 3.5 type guy - more perimeter based but switchable on D onto bigs when called for. Most seem to see him as more a 4.5. Not sure that's putting him in the best spot to thrive. If he is played as a big, then I agree he needs to do better with FTs and contact in general.

I think he's definitely a 4 and small-ball 5. He has the physical attributes, rebounding ability and defensive upside to be a good small-ball 5 that helps to space the floor and play slower bigs off the court. That's where his main value could be. I don't really see or expect him to play the 3 unless some team tries to do something different from the norm (like Cleveland last year).

[EMG518]

He is probably my favorite prospect outside of Scoot.

Zero bust potential.

He is so good defensively and has the ability to be a low usage, but really effective offensive player that can fit in an offense and as his skills develop he can potentially do more.

[76ciology]

10ppg 6rpg .9bpg 35 3pt% (1.8 attempts per game only)

[SeattleJazzFan]

Disappears and is an afterthought way too often.

At the D1 level: he has trouble creating his own offense, he’s a mediocre shooter, mediocre rebounder, mediocre ball handler, mediocre passer. He looks great out there on the floor and is a plus athlete, but in terms of skillset, I’m not sure what he does at an NBA level.

[jezzerinho]

I thought he was very disappointing vs Seton H. Overthinking everything and getting in his own way.

Unless there's a total collapse from him in tournament play, I still think he has a guaranteed NBA career.

[EvanZ]

He is probably my favorite prospect outside of Scoot.

Zero bust potential.

He is so good defensively and has the ability to be a low usage, but really effective offensive player that can fit in an offense and as his skills develop he can potentially do more.

I think his defense is actually overrated. Misses a lot of switches. Not a good rim protector. Houston's aggressive scheme (9 guys with STL% > 2%) probably helps him.

His best skill right now by far is his passing.

Watch on YouTube

[clyde21]

his physical profile is fooling a lot of people into thinking he's a great defender, he's just not, which is unfortunate because I do like a lot of other aspects of his game, but he's a guy that could be playing with a lot more force than he currently is on both sides

if he ever figures out what he can do with his body and physical pro, it's a done deal, but until then he's a guy that'll kinda always leave you wanting more.

[Hal14]

Some content that should help clear up some misconceptions in this thread:

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/breaking-down-jarace-walkers-defensive

Watch on YouTube

Also, it's important to examine the pre-college tape for these guys - especially when their college sample (only like 20 games) is so small. Not to mention, you get to see the prospect in additional contexts, perhaps their college coach isn't using them the right way, etc.

Here's a look at some of his pre-college tape and what we can learn from it. Spoiler alert, he's a beast on both ends of the floor:
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/jarace-walker-is-made-of-lions

Another scouting report vid, again highlighting his defensive versatility:

Watch on YouTube

[EvanZ]

I dunno man if people think he’s the next Kawhi not much I can help them with.


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[Catchall]

He's functionally similar to Paul Millsap, but has some defensive playmaking ability that makes him a bit more interesting on that end. His versatility and physical presence on defense are probably his greatest appeal right now.

The question for me is whether his handle and body control are good enough to make him a potential triple-threat type on offense. I'd actually like to see him keep his weight in the 230-lb range if he can. He's got pretty good feel, but needs to be lighter on his feet.

[Solid]

If the Pacers don't trade for a PF he will be high on my draft wish list. Seems similar to OG to me.

[SeattleJazzFan]

when walker looks good, he looks damn good. i'll give him that.

[Catchall]

His 3pt % has dipped below 30%, and his FT % has been in the 50s over the past several games. Shooting is going to be that ever-important swing skill for him.