Since arriving at UC San Diego in the fall of 2012, it's been a steady climb for now-junior Hunter Walker of the men's basketball team. After seeing action in 23 games as a freshman, he started all but one game as a sophomore, and in this, his third season, the talented 6-foot-4 Santa Maria native has developed into one of the Tritons' most valuable players. On the floor for nearly 30 minutes per contest, Walker is averaging 12.2 points and 3.7 rebounds while handing out a team-high 47 assists. “Hunter's a really versatile guy who gives us a lot of diversity on both sides of the ball,” says head coach Eric Olen. “He's a smart player who understands his responsibilities at several different positions.” As UCSD heads into a final home weekend this Friday and Saturday (7:30 p.m. each night), with eyes on the CCAA Championship Tournament, Walker took a few minutes to share thoughts about the sport of basketball, his progress, and his coaches.
Q: What do you like most about playing basketball?
WALKER: I love the competitive aspect about it, and being part of a team. I'm a pretty competitive person, and if I'm doing something that involves competition, I normally always try to do my best to win, especially if I'm interested in that task. So, I've always loved basketball. Also, I really enjoy being a part of something that's bigger than myself, and that's where the team aspect comes in. I've been fortunate to play on teams where I love my teammates and the coaching staff. This team is no different, and honestly has been one of my favorite teams to play on.
Q: When and how did you get started playing?
WALKER: I started playing in kindergarten on a (recreation) team that my dad coached. It's normally a first and second grade league, but I think since he was the coach, he was able to get me on a team earlier. That was how I started a sport that I've grown to love and has brought plenty of opportunities and memories.
Q: What was the most difficult part of the game for you to master as a young player? What is the most difficult aspect now?
WALKER: I struggled at first using both hands on the court. It was hard to dribble and finish around the basket with my left hand. I think it was hard because when I was young, I only wanted to do what I was good at, and that was using my right hand. I have to give credit to my dad, though, because he forced me to work on my left hand (more than I wanted), but it definitely paid off for me the older I got.
Now, I would say the most difficult part is bringing energy, effort and enthusiasm every day. In order to get better individually and as a team, those are three things that I have to bring every day. Now that we're getting deep into the season, it's hard to do, but something I've had to work on and get better at.
Q: After playing primarily in the backcourt your first two seasons at UCSD, you're often positioned as a “four” this year. How has that transition been, and what's the typical match-up like on both ends of the floor?
WALKER: Actually, growing up I mostly played the four until I got to high school, and even then, I would spend some time at that position. So the transition hasn't been too bad, but it was a little bit of an adjustment getting used to how to play the spot at the college level. It's not always easy guarding guys that are taller than me and have a few pounds on me, so I just try to move my feet and not let them get the ball. On offense, I try to use my quickness to go by bigger guys. That's my biggest advantage.
Q: Overall, how would you contrast the style and make-up of this year's squad, to the first two you were on at UCSD?
WALKER: There are some things that we do the same, which is good because I haven't had to make too many adjustments. I think this team is just a lot closer, and that has led to some of the success we've had on the court. Not having any seniors may play a role in it as well, because we know that next year, we will all be back to make something even more special happen.
Q: Talk about where the UC San Diego program is today compared to where it was when you arrived in the fall of 2012?
WALKER: I think we've come a long way. Each year, we've improved our record and done better in the league standings. At the same time, we're not satisfied, because we still have not accomplished our goals.
Q: Your minutes, points and assists have steadily increased each season. How has your game evolved in that time? Where have you made the most improvement?
WALKER: I think my game has evolved into being a more complete player. I've worked hard to improve my offensive game but I've really tried to focus on my defense. I think that in order for us to be successful, that is where I will need to keep making strides. I would say I've made the most improvement in my ability to make plays for myself and my teammates. I love scoring, but I also really enjoy making a play that leads to one of my teammates scoring.
Q: If you had the ball and had to go one on one with the game on the line, which current UCSD player would you least like to see between you and the basket?
WALKER: I would have to say it would be “Bobby” (Adam Klie). He's a great defender and always gives me problems when he's guarding me. He likes to use his hands a little bit, so I think I might be able to draw a foul, but he's a relentless competitor. With the game on the line, I'm sure I would get the best of Bob.
Q: Conversely, as a defender, who would be the toughest assignment for you on this year's roster?
WALKER: I think it would be Trea (Treavon Francis). When he's in his zone on offense, he's one of the toughest guys I've had to guard. He will take shots where I think I played good defense, and still make them. When he goes into what he calls “mamba mode,” he's one of the best offensive players we have. He and I have had some battles going at each other one on one outside of practice, and it's never easy guarding him.
Q: Eric Olen moved from longtime assistant into the head-coaching role just prior to the start of last season. What surprised you most about how he handled the top job?
WALKER: Well, Coach Olen was the one who mainly recruited me to UCSD, so I've always had a good relationship with him. When I first got here he was an assistant coach, but I could tell that he was a great coach, and could make a good head coach. That's why when (former head) Coach (Chris) Carlson left, I was really hoping he would get his shot at the head-coaching job, because I knew he would be the best fit.
I think I'm mostly surprised by how quickly he has adjusted from that assistant role, to head coach. After being an assistant for many years, I figured there would be a little bit of an adjustment period, but that hasn't really seemed to be the case. If you would just start playing for him now, you would think he has been a head coach for a while by the way he carries himself and coaches us.
Q: What do you consider his strengths?
WALKER: He's a player's coach, and what I mean by that is any player would want to play for him. He believes and has instilled a ton of confidence in all of us. Off the court, he has a good sense of humor and we can joke around with him, so players always feel like they can be themselves around him. At the same time, when it's practice or game time, he's very intense and will get on us if he thinks we're not giving our all. I think that has played into our success, because we always want to outwork all the other teams.
Q: Could he or assistant coach Clint Allard take you in a game of horse?
WALKER: I'm not sure, because Coach Olen is a very good shooter, so if he's on, that would make it tough to win. Coach Allard also can shoot the ball, but I know he has some creativity with his game, so he would take and make shots that I would never take in games. That would be a fun game, though, because I've got some shots that I'm not sure they could handle. We might have to make that happen, because I think I would win, and I know they think they would.
Q: You list fishing as one of your hobbies. What's the biggest fish you've ever caught? What's your favorite fishing spot?
WALKER: Yeah, I do really enjoy fishing. I don't get out as much as I would like to, but when I do, I really like it. I would say the biggest fish I caught was about 26-28 pounds. I went deep sea fishing with my uncle and cousin when we were in Florida, and I had a pretty good day catching three or four good-sized fish. My favorite spot is a place by my hometown on the Vandenberg (Air Force Base). I go out there with one of my buddies and it's a great relaxer for me.
Q: You also put music on the hobby list. Do you play an instrument? Can you carry a tune? What's your go-to artist when you're getting ready for game time?
WALKER: I love listening to music. I would say behind basketball, that's my favorite thing to do. I used to play the drums when I was younger, actually. My mom signed me up for lessons one day, and I would go twice a week for about five years. Once I reached high school, basketball started picking up and I wanted to focus on that, so I stopped playing. I wouldn't mind picking it up again when I'm done playing.
I would like to say I can carry a tune, but I have to ask my drum instructor and my friends if that's true. The two artists that I can go to are Eminem and J. Cole. I love both of their music and whenever I listen to it, I get pumped up and ready to go.
Q: You're an economics/management science major. What kind of future plans are you envisioning? Is there anything in that field that you think will give you as big a rush as playing basketball?
WALKER: I'm also minoring in accounting and I eventually plan on getting my CPA. This summer, I have an internship with a firm back home in Santa Maria that I'm very excited about. My dream job would be as an accountant for professional athletes and entertainers. I think if I was able to accomplish that, it would give me just as much of a rush as playing basketball.
Q: If you had a chance to play one other sport at UCSD, where do you think you could be successful? Least successful?
WALKER: Growing up, I also played baseball and other than basketball, that is the sport I have the most experience in, so I would have to go with that. I played a bunch of positions, so I think I might be able to find a spot that would fit for me. It's been a while since I've played, so I don't know if I would be ready to hit at the college level, but it would be a lot of fun to try.
I think water polo would be my least successful sport, because I would not be able to tread water for that long. I have a lot of respect for the people that play that sport.
Q: When your UCSD hoops career is concluded, how do you hope your coaches and teammates will remember you?
WALKER: As a competitor and a good teammate. I want my team to think of me as someone they loved to play with, and someone who hated to lose.
Previous Triton Q&A Features
Alexis Wieseler (Women's Water Polo) February 3, 2015
Troy Cruz (Baseball) January 27, 2015
Miranda Seto (Women's Basketball) January 6, 2015
Naomi Thomas (Women's Swimming & Diving) December 30, 2014
Cameron Ravanbach (Men's Water Polo) November 21, 2014
Eric Olen (Men's Basketball) November 17, 2014
Mitchell Shulman (Men's Fencing) November 13, 2014
Paul Li (Men's Swimming & Diving) November 1, 2014
Paige Hughes (Women's Cross Country) October 20, 2014
Danielle Dahle (Women's Volleyball) October 14, 2014
Tareq Alwafai (Men's Cross Country) September 25, 2014
David Higginson (Men's Water Polo) September 18, 2014
Matthew McClure (Men's Soccer) September 10, 2014
Caitlin Brenton (Women's Volleyball) September 3, 2014
Michelle Yasutake (Women's Soccer) August 25, 2014
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