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Former Tiger considers 7th year of college basketball
Posted on: March 2, 2021 at 10:47:10 CT
FIJItiger MU
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https://www.thestarpress.com/story/sports/college/ball-state/2021/02/23/ball-state-mens-basketballs-k-j-walton-faces-key-career-decision/4559218001/
Whitford did not sign Walton ahead of the 2015-16 season, considering Walton initially chose to play collegiately at Missouri. Whitford instead added Walton ahead of the 2017-18 season as a transfer.
Years have passed since Walton, now a redshirt fifth-year guard with the Cardinals, made that decision. He’s currently in the midst of completing his sixth year in college basketball. And while the 2020-21 season still has yet to be completed, when it does — due to a NCAA ruling that provided winter athletes with another year of eligibility — Walton will face a decision on whether to compete in a seventh.
“I told (Walton) that at the end of the year we’ll help him get an agent and try to put him in position to play professional basketball, and if he gets a great opportunity that’s in his best interest he should take it,” said Whitford, who added he’s told each of his players who are in Walton’s position to wait until the season ends to make a decision. “That’s what I told him. And if he finds himself — who knows how the pandemic will play out or what opportunities will be there. If he finds that it’s in his best interest, it’s going to help him develop more to take one more year, we would certainly support him in that, too. But I think at this stage of a college athlete’s career it’s my responsibility to do what’s in their best interest and try to put K.J. in a position to be successful.”
In the time Walton’s been with the program, Whitford has seen him become a much smarter player that’s been far craftier at figuring out how opponents play him and using his strengths to get to the rim. Whitford said even Walton’s shot has “come a long way,” although Walton may not have showcased that much in a game yet. Whitford considers Walton “an elite-level defender,” one of the best in the MAC, and sees Walton’s 3-point shooting as the last piece Walton needs to get to where he wants as a pro.
Walton said he hasn’t thought about the ability to return for another year, that it’s something he’ll work through at the end of the season. In fact, there was a time he didn’t think he’d be back at BSU for this season. Either way, Walton wants to play professionally wherever he can.
“I feel like my time here has definitely taught me a lot,” Walton said. "There’s been a lot of ups and downs I think … good times and bad times. But I think it’s definitely, more than anything, prepared me for the outside world and just being a man in general.”
Whitford did not sign Walton ahead of the 2015-16 season, considering Walton initially chose to play collegiately at Missouri. Whitford instead added Walton ahead of the 2017-18 season as a transfer.
Years have passed since Walton, now a redshirt fifth-year guard with the Cardinals, made that decision. He’s currently in the midst of completing his sixth year in college basketball. And while the 2020-21 season still has yet to be completed, when it does — due to a NCAA ruling that provided winter athletes with another year of eligibility — Walton will face a decision on whether to compete in a seventh.
“I told (Walton) that at the end of the year we’ll help him get an agent and try to put him in position to play professional basketball, and if he gets a great opportunity that’s in his best interest he should take it,” said Whitford, who added he’s told each of his players who are in Walton’s position to wait until the season ends to make a decision. “That’s what I told him. And if he finds himself — who knows how the pandemic will play out or what opportunities will be there. If he finds that it’s in his best interest, it’s going to help him develop more to take one more year, we would certainly support him in that, too. But I think at this stage of a college athlete’s career it’s my responsibility to do what’s in their best interest and try to put K.J. in a position to be successful.”
In the time Walton’s been with the program, Whitford has seen him become a much smarter player that’s been far craftier at figuring out how opponents play him and using his strengths to get to the rim. Whitford said even Walton’s shot has “come a long way,” although Walton may not have showcased that much in a game yet. Whitford considers Walton “an elite-level defender,” one of the best in the MAC, and sees Walton’s 3-point shooting as the last piece Walton needs to get to where he wants as a pro.
Walton said he hasn’t thought about the ability to return for another year, that it’s something he’ll work through at the end of the season. In fact, there was a time he didn’t think he’d be back at BSU for this season. Either way, Walton wants to play professionally wherever he can.
“I feel like my time here has definitely taught me a lot,” Walton said. "There’s been a lot of ups and downs I think … good times and bad times. But I think it’s definitely, more than anything, prepared me for the outside world and just being a man in general.”
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Former Tiger considers 7th year of college basketball - FIJItiger MU - 3/2 10:47:10