Devondrick Walker: Continuing Growth With The Westchester Knicks

Devondrick Walker has improved year-by-year in the NBA D-League. What are his goals for the 2016-17 season with the Westchester Knicks?

People in the state of Texas may be familiar with Devondrick Walker. He spent his high school years in the state and the majority of his collegiate career at Texas A&M Commerce. After spending three years under Sam Walker in college, he started his professional career in the Lone Star State with the Austin Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate.

Having the opportunity to start his professional career in his home state of Texas is something Walker has cherished.

"“There’s nothing like it, man. You get to see the people out there that supported you throughout the years,” Devondrick Walker told Daily Knicks. “You get to kind of give back to them. To see you grow. To play at home is amazing, man. So I advise anyone if they get the opportunity to take that.”"

In his time in Austin, Walker displayed many of his skills. Most notably, his defense was an asset he brought to the Spurs two years ago. He can grab a steal and push it in transition. He’s even showed that he can work well as a help defender and come in and swat away a shot.

After spending his rookie season in Austin, he was acquired by the Westchester Knicks through the available player pool. With the starters performing well, he was brought to Westchester to add depth to the bench. Mike Miller, head coach of the Westchester Knicks, values defense and the team believed Walker could be a contributor in the final stretch of the season.

As the 2016-17 season was set to tip-off, Devondrick Walker was one of the eight players that returned to the team. Along with Walker, Kevin Capers, Jordon Crawford, Cleanthony Early, Damien Inglis, Doron Lamb, Keith Wright, and Robert Vaden are familiar with the organization. All seven players have competed in Westchester in one of the previous two seasons.

Early, Lamb, and Vaden are the only three players on this year’s roster who were a part of the inaugural season in 2014.

Out of the returning players, Walker and Wright have developed a strong camaraderie over the past three seasons. The two were on the Austin Spurs for the 2014-15 season and were reunited in Westchester last season.

The two are in their third season together with the dubKnicks.

Heading into his second season in Westchester, the 6’5″ guard set a few goals for himself.

"“Every time coming in, it really starts in the summer. Me personally, get the most out I can of this year and hopefully I further my career,” Walker said. “You just want to definitely get better. For me, I’ve been just trying to put on strength and mass, so working with [Strength & Conditioning Coach] Mike Atkinson has really been a prominent focus for me. Adding a little strength, adding a little size [and] playing more athletic. That’s definitely one of my personal goals is basically my body.”"

While the the Knicks are in the early stages of the season, the Texas A&M Commerce product has had the opportunity to contribute to the team both on and off the court.

"“I’ve kind of grown accustomed to the Westchester community—the White Plains area. They’ve showed tons of love and support,” Walker said. “So when we go out and do those events, it’s kind of fun to us. We can go out there and show the stuff we’ve learned; give them the opportunities that they didn’t have previously. Or teach them something that the people around them don’t show them everyday, so it’s a big time opportunity for us, as players.”"

Dating back to his days with Austin, Walker wasn’t much of a scorer. When he came to Westchester last season, the Knicks featured many players on the offensive end. Jimmer Fredette could score 25 on any given night. Travis Trice was a midrange sniper and started to develop a 3-point game as the 2015-16 season progressed.

Even with players like Jordan Bachynski, the team set him up with many opportunities to score.

If you ask Walker, he’ll say his defense is his strong suit. This year’s Westchester Knicks squad has many players that score and shoot the 3-point shot, but the team doesn’t have a go-to scorer. With that being the case, it has given many players the chance to step up in the scoring department and be contributors on the offensive end.

"“I’m here to play defense and offensive opportunities always present themselves cause you have to play both ends of the floor. You definitely get an array of opportunities especially in the triangle,” Walker said. “A lot of guys don’t like it. But me personally, I love it because spacing is there. You know where the players are going to be. And offensively, it’s pretty simple to play, so I like it.”"

Through eight games this season, the Westchester guard has found opportunities to display what he can do on offense. He has the ability to get to the rim and even slam down monstrous dunks.

Along with that, Walker has shown that he can be a solid shooter from beyond the arc. In the first two games of the season, he shot 6-of-11 from deep. Walker went on to total 22 points on opening night against the Delaware 87ers and 16 points against the Greensboro Swarm the following game.

While the Knicks feature several other players on offense, it’s worth noting that the Knicks have been getting a positive contribution from the entire roster.

Last year, the Knicks ranked at the bottom of the NBA D-League in 3-point shooting (32.6 percent). This year, many players have stepped up for Westchester, including those who are assigned to the team. Through eight games, the Knicks rank No. 5 in the D-League in 3-point percentage (37.6).

Of the players who have played at least seven games, Walker is No. 5 on the team in 3-point percentage (38.2).

The Westchester Knicks have eight games under their belt this season and have stepped out of the gate on a positive note. The Knicks are 6-2 on the season and are looking to mirror the success they had last season.

The dubKnicks have many solid guards, including Walker, who can be productive on both sides of the ball.

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While his presence on defense doesn’t show up in the box score, Walker’s two most productive games have come as a starter. The Texas A&M Commerce product has shown he can increase his production when his role increases.

As the season goes on, Devondrick Walker will be a big piece in Westchester’s defense.