Trojans welcome Gator hoops transfer DeVon Walker
TROY, Ala (troytrojans.com) – Troy men’s basketball head coach Phil Cunningham continued to load up on top talent this spring as the Trojans will welcome University of Florida graduate transfer DeVon Walker to the program. Walker saw action in 85 games over three seasons with the Gators, including Florida’s Final Four and Elite Eight runs in 2013 and 2014.
“We’re thrilled with DeVon’s decision to continue his career as a fifth-year grad transfer here at Troy,” Cunningham said. “DeVon was the epitome of a successful student-athlete during his four years at Florida, and we expect him to make a huge impact on and off the court in his one season in our program. Our team has been missing an athletic, play-making wing, and DeVon definitely brings those characteristics to the court.”
Walker, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward, was rated as the No. 10 player in the state of Florida and the No. 35 shooting guard in the country coming out of Winter Haven High School. He played in 60 games and started seven contests on Florida’s two NCAA Tournament teams during his first two seasons in Gainesville.
As a sophomore, Walker was a key contributor off the bench for the Gators as they rolled to a perfect 18-0 SEC record en route to the regular season and tournament championships. Walker put together a four-game stretch during SEC play where he drained a pair of 3-pointers – Auburn, LSU, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss.
A four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member, Walker graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida in April and will be immediately eligible to play for the Trojans with one season on eligibility remaining.
After missing the entire 2014-15 season with a torn ACL, Walker returned this past season to play in 25 games for head coach Mike White. Walker started the first four games of the season and averaged 10.6 minutes per game during his redshirt-junior campaign.
Walker averaged 23.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game and earned first team all-state honors his senior season at Winter Haven High School as he helped lead the Blue Devils to a 21-8 record and a berth in the Florida 6A semifinals.
Walker joins forward Juan Davis, Jr., (East Mississippi CC) and guards Kevin Baker (Pensacola State) and Darian Adams (Carver HS) in Troy’s signing class. Troy returns four starters from this past year’s squad including two-time All-Sun Belt selection Wesley Person and Jordon Varnado, who had a breakout freshman season.
