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Lonnie Walker IV

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Lonnie Walker IV
Walker in 2023
No. 1 – Žalgiris Kaunas
PositionShooting guard
LeagueLKL
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1998-12-14) December 14, 1998 (age 25)
Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolReading (Reading, Pennsylvania)
CollegeMiami (Florida) (2017–2018)
NBA draft2018: 1st round, 18th overall pick
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2022San Antonio Spurs
2018–2019→ Austin Spurs
2022–2023Los Angeles Lakers
2023–2024Brooklyn Nets
2024-Žalgiris Kaunas
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Lonnie Walker IV (born December 14, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague. In high school, he was named Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball and earned McDonald's All-American honors. Walker played college basketball for the Miami Hurricanes.

After being named to the all-freshman team in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), he was selected in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs with the 18th overall pick. He played four seasons with the Spurs before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has also played for the Brooklyn Nets.

Early life

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Walker was born December 14, 1998, in Reading, Pennsylvania. He attended Reading Senior High School in Reading.[1] Walker made his varsity basketball debut as a freshman and played 27 games averaging eight points per game, and later as a sophomore he averaged 16.9 points per game in a short season due to injury. In 29 games, as a junior, he averaged 17.1 points per game.

During his senior year, Walker was named a McDonald's All-American and voted Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball.[2][3] He averaged a career best 18.4 points per game and surpassed Reading High grad and former NBA player Donyell Marshall's school record in points by finishing with 1,828 total points scored. On March 25, 2017, Walker led Reading Senior High School to their first state championship in the program's 117-year history in a 64–60 win over the Pine-Richland Rams. Walker finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three assists.[4]

During the season, Walker signed with the Miami Hurricanes, passing on other scholarship offers from Villanova, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Arizona.[1][5]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Lonnie Walker
SG 		Reading, PA Reading HS (PA) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 192 lb (87 kg) Nov 16, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 93
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: #32   Rivals: #29  247Sports: #17  ESPN: #18
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Miami 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  • "2017 Miami Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  • "2017 Miami Hurricanes Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  • "2017 Miami 24/7 Sports Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.

College career

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Walker in 2017

Walker made his collegiate debut with the Miami Hurricanes on November 10, 2017, recording 10 points and a season-high five assists coming off the bench in a 77–45 blowout win over Gardner-Webb University. He created new highs of 12 points and 5 rebounds on December 2 in an 80–52 blowout win against Princeton University before recording season-highs of 26 points and 7 rebounds during his first collegiate start three days later in a 69–54 win over Boston University. Against Louisville, he scored a game-high 25 points including an acrobatic layup in traffic to force overtime. In a game against Boston College, he hit a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to win 79–78.[6] Walker finished the season averaging 11.5 points per game and was named to the ACC all-freshman team.[7][8]

After his sole season with Miami concluded, Walker declared for the 2018 NBA draft.[9]

Professional career

[edit]

San Antonio Spurs (2018–2022)

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On June 21, 2018, Walker was selected with the 18th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2018 NBA draft. Walker was later included in the 2018 NBA Summer League roster of the Spurs.[10] On July 11, 2018, the Spurs announced that they signed Walker.[11] On October 6, 2018, Walker was revealed to have a right medial meniscus tear.[12] On November 25, 2018, the San Antonio Spurs assigned Walker the first time of the season to the Austin Spurs.[13] Walker made his NBA debut on January 3, 2019, in a 125–107 win against the Toronto Raptors, scoring three points and grabbing one rebound in five minutes of play.[14]

On December 3, 2019, Walker scored a career-high 28 points, including 19 in the 4th quarter, in a 135–133 double overtime win over the Houston Rockets with four rebounds, three steals and a block.[15]

Los Angeles Lakers (2022–2023)

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On July 6, 2022, Walker signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year, $6.5M contract.[16] He began the 2022–23 season playing in 32 games, all starts, before being sidelined beginning in late December with knee tendinitis.[17][18] At the time, he was averaging 14.7 points in 29.8 minutes per game and shooting 45.5% from the field and 38.9% on 3-pointers.[18] He seemed to be the Lakers top scorer after LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.[19] Walker returned after missing 14 games,[17] but his playing time was limited with the development of Austin Reaves and particularly after the Lakers acquired D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura before the trade deadline.[18][19] After playing in a bit shy of 28 minutes through the first eight games of the 2023 playoffs, Walker returned to the rotation and scored 12 points in 25 minutes in a 127–97 win over Golden State, giving the Lakers a 2–1 series lead in the conference semifinals.[18] In Game 4, he scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers overcome a seven-point deficit and win 104–101.[20]

Brooklyn Nets (2023–2024)

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On July 10, 2023, Walker signed a reported one-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets.[21] On June 29, 2024, Walker said after the season finale he was unsatisfied with the disrespect he received from the Brooklyn Nets' coaching staff and became a free agent after the season.

On August 28, Walker signed a reported one-year contract with the Boston Celtics,[22] but was waived on October 19.[23]

Žalgiris Kaunas (2024–present)

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On October 30, 2024, Walker signed with Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague.[24]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 San Antonio 17 0 6.9 .348 .385 .800 1.0 .5 .4 .2 2.6
2019–20 San Antonio 61 12 16.2 .426 .406 .721 2.3 1.1 .5 .2 6.4
2020–21 San Antonio 60 38 25.4 .420 .355 .814 2.6 1.7 .5 .3 11.2
2021–22 San Antonio 70 6 23.0 .407 .314 .784 2.6 2.2 .6 .3 12.1
2022–23 L.A. Lakers 56 32 23.2 .448 .365 .858 1.9 1.1 .5 .3 11.7
2023–24 Brooklyn 58 0 17.4 .423 .384 .763 2.2 1.3 .6 .3 9.7
Career 322 88 20.3 .422 .356 .795 2.3 1.5 .5 .3 9.8

Play-in

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 San Antonio 1 1 17.3 .250 .000 1.000 5.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 8.0
2022 San Antonio 1 0 16.5 .556 .500 – 1.0 .0 .0 .0 12.0
Career 2 1 16.9 .412 .286 1.000 3.0 .5 .5 .5 10.0

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019 San Antonio 6 1 3.5 .375 .000 — .3 .5 .0 .0 1.0
2023 L.A. Lakers 13 0 13.8 .483 .382 .750 .9 .8 .5 .1 6.2
Career 19 1 10.5 .471 .371 .750 .7 .7 .4 .1 1.0

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Miami 32 18 27.8 .415 .346 .738 2.6 1.9 .9 .5 11.5

Personal life

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Walker is the son of Lonnie Walker III who moved from New Jersey to Reading, Pennsylvania, to play basketball at Alvernia University.[25] Walker III dropped out of university when Walker IV was born in 1998 and he had to raise his son as a single parent while working multiple jobs.[25][26] Walker IV was encouraged to read after school by his father and maintains reading as part of his pregame ritual.[26]

Walker has a dog named Zola, who appeared with him in a PETA ad campaign, reminding people not to leave their dogs in hot, parked cars.[27]

In June 2020, Walker revealed he had been the victim of sexual abuse by family members as an adolescent, and had grown out his trademark long hairstyle as a coping mechanism. In deciding to cut his hair, Walker described the act as having "shed my skin mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually."[28]

References

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  1. ^ a b Borzello, Jeff (November 17, 2016). "Five Star Recruit Lonnie Walker commits to Miami Hurricanes". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  2. ^ "2017 McDonald's All-American Game boys rosters announced". maxpreps. January 15, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "Reading's Lonnie Walker caps high school career with Mr. PA Basketball honor". The Patriot-News. May 27, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Erdman, Trey (March 26, 2017). "Reading high are the state champs for the first time ever!!". rawsports.tv. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  5. ^ "Lonnie Walker recruiting profile". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  6. ^ "Walker's 3 pointer lifts Miami past Boston College 79–78". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  7. ^ Kaufman, Michelle (April 4, 2018). "One and done: UM's Walker enters NBA Draft". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "ACC Announces All-Conference Team, Postseason Awards". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  9. ^ Cross, Ken (April 7, 2018). "Miami Basketball: Lonnie Walker leaves for draft; 'Canes roster could shuffle". collegehoopswatch.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  10. ^ "Spurs announce 2018 Utah Summer League roster". NBA.com. June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "Spurs sign 2018 first round pick Lonnie Walker IV". NBA.com. July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "Spurs rookie Lonnie Walker IV to have surgery for medial meniscus tear". NBA.com. October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  13. ^ "San Antonio assigns Lonnie Walker IV to Austin Spurs". NBA.com. November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  14. ^ Ahearn, Cale (January 4, 2019). "Reading native Lonnie Walker makes NBA debut". FOX43.com. WPMT. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  15. ^ "Walker lifts Spurs; Rockets fall in 2OT despite Harden's 50". ESPN.com. December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  16. ^ "Lakers to sign Lonnie Walker IV to 1-year deal". nba.com. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Turner, Broderick (January 29, 2023). "Anthony Davis has idea about missed calls: Refs getting fined". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d Turner, Broderick (May 8, 2023). "Lonnie Walker IV looking to make more contributions for Lakers in Game 4". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Murray, Law (May 8, 2023). "Lonnie Walker IV, the Lakers' 'X-factor,' will keep staying ready for his playoff moments". The Athletic. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Woike, Dan (May 8, 2023). "Lakers beat Warriors in a Game 4 thriller, now one win from conference finals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  21. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Sign Lonnie Walker IV". NBA.com. July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  22. ^ "Celtics add free agent Walker on 1-year contract". ESPN.com. August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  23. ^ "Boston Celtics Reportedly Release 6-Year NBA Player". SI.com. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  24. ^ Gillingham, Geoff (October 31, 2024). "Lonnie Walker joins Zalgiris". EuroLeague. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Uggetti, Paolo (June 19, 2018). "Lonnie Walker IV Is Out of This World". The Ringer. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Orsborn, Tom (February 6, 2020). "Father's influence led to Spurs' Lonnie Walker IV's passion for reading". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Lynch, David (July 11, 2019). "Spurs' Lonnie Walker reminds you not to leave your dogs in hot cars in PETA partnership". kens5.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  28. ^ McMenamin, Dave (June 12, 2020). "Spurs' Lonnie Walker IV says new haircut freeing as he works through childhood sexual abuse". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
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