With a right hand still swollen from December surgery, Walker Jr. remains the team’s embodiment of grit and leadership.
HOUSTON — Ramon Walker Jr. may not appear in any NCAA Tournament box score, but his impact on the Houston Cougars’ March Madness run is undeniable.
With a right hand still swollen from December surgery, Walker Jr. remains the team’s embodiment of grit and leadership, supporting his teammates as they advance to the Final Four.
“I’m not really worried,” Walker said when asked how difficult it’s been for him to watch and not play. “The focus is helping them.”
Despite being sidelined by injury, Walker, who attended Shadow Creek High School in Alvin ISD, remains a vocal leader and valuable member of the scout team.
Head coach Kelvin Sampson recently noted Walker’s dedication, recalling a memorable dive for a loose ball in a game three years ago against Wichita State.
Teammates like L.J. Cryer value Walker’s competitive spirit, with Cryer saying he’d choose Walker first for any rebounding drill. “He’s a hooper,” noted Cryer.
His teammates’ success in Indianapolis, which secured their Final Four berth to face Duke, speaks to the team’s collective resilience — a quality Walker epitomizes.
“That’s what the program is about,” he said. “It’s about having a great attitude.”