Derrick Walton Jr. - NBA prospects
There have been a few scattered posts on this topic but I thought this deserved its own thread. Walton is not getting any love in terms of NBA talk despite being one of the best college players in the country over the last 4 - 6 weeks.
I understand that he is not likely to be a future All-Star given his height and lack of top flight NBA level athleticism. However, I can't believe that he wouldn't have value as a 2nd round pick to be a backup point guard somewhere. He can shoot, drive and run multiple sets all while giving you hard minutes on your own half of the court with his defense and rebounding.
Most importantly, he is the definition of trustworthy in terms of being smart with the ball and rarely committing turnovers which I view as the most important trait in a backup point guard. You don't need them to take the game over, you just need to tread water until you can get your #1 back in the game.
Anyone think any of the guys on the roster might go try and play overseas once their college career's are over if the NBA doesn't work out? Sounds like a better option than the D-League for a player like Irvin or Duncan Robinson.
I think Jordan Morgan still might be playing in Europe. Stu Douglass and Novak played a couple years but I think they are back in the States working professional jobs now.
Yeah, it just sounds like a much better option than playing for Sioux Falls Skyforce and making $20,000 a year.
I wouldn't be surpised to see most of the core players on this years team end up in Europe, DJ and Mo not included.
Dunacn and Irvin could definitely carve out a healthy living playing overseas and MAAR could probably do the same if he chooses to. I think Walton is really the guy who has "star" potential overseas. The way he plays the game and the attitude he has developed over the past few months should pay dividens.
Novak is back in the US in the private sector, but Stu is still playing overseas (Isreal last time I checked). Morgan was in Europe this year, but came home to rehab after a wrist injury. He also had a cup of tea with the Canton Charge in the D-Leauge towards the end of last year.
Ironically, the only guy that likely won't play in Europe is our European - Mo Wagner.
Life . . . strange.
Maybe at the end of his NBA career he goes back and plays for his hometown team, but who knows. Wonder if he will get a look for Germany's olympic squads?
the thought of Nowitzki and Wagner playing for Germany is music to my ears. (Sorry, after all of Raftery's bad puns, I had to.)
The only way he gets his number in the rafters is if he wins a National Championship this year.
Yeah, and your point is . . . ?
He might get it up there regardless. Dude is only the 3rd (or 4th?) Wolverine to get 1500 pts 500 assists 400 rebounds? First since Jalen Rose I believe?
Forgot what the actual stat was.
Walton has a good shot. Go Blue.
March 22nd, 2017 at 12:42 AM ^
which is a huge deal. Senior Walton certainly isn't that much better than sophomore Morris, if at all. This is an incredible half season for Walton, but people must forget how good Darius was his sophomore season, on a team with far fewer weapons. That and the height/length and his youth is what got Darius drafted.
I think Walton will get a look. He just needs to remain aggressive and keep improving his jumper.
He's at least turned a lot of heads and will do so through the end of Michigan's run. He's not a high prospect but one thing this year showed me, don't ever count Derrick Walton Jr out. If heart and competitiveness count for anything, he's got a puncher's chance.
I expect him to show some more of this against Oregon and Kansas!
GO BLUE!!
I'm sure he'll get a look in summer league.
Steve Blake is 6'3", and he averaged 7 assists in college.
Slight nonsequitur, but I've seen a few comments here about retiring numbers, and then a little comparison of notable UM point guards. But no concrete numbers, etc.
So on the question whether or not to retire Burke's number... what about some stats?
Trey Burke (2yrs)
Per game averages
35.7 MP .450 FG% .367 3PT% 5.7 AST 1.3 STL 16.9 PPG
Notable Accomplishments
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Concensus All American
National Player of the Year
Big Ten Player of the Year
National Title Runners Up
Darius Morris (2yrs)
Per game averages
29.8 MP .469 FG% .223 3PT% 4.8 AST 0.8 STL 9.9 PPG
Notable Accomplishments
Gary Grant (4 yrs)
Per game averages
32.9 MP .530 FG% .444 3PT% 5.7 AST 2.3 STL 17.2 PPG
Notable Accomplishments
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (x2)
Big Ten Player of the Year
Concensus All American
None of these are currently retired numbers for Michigan. I think Grant and Burke have the best case, with Grant being a little more "deserving" (of course he was my favorite player as a kid, so I'm probably biased). The only thing really keeping Burke from getting his number hung in the rafters is two seasons played, but that's pretty much just the modern game.
Derrick Walton Jr (4 yrs)
Per game averages
31.0 MP .403 FG% .399 3PT% 3.9 AST 1.2 STL 11.5 PPG (4.4 TRB)
Notable Accomplishments
Probably in line for some awards this season, but nothing major so far.
For the record there have only been 5 retired numbers for UM Basketball
| 22 | Bill Buntin | PF, C | 1962–65 | January 7, 2006 |
| 33 | Cazzie Russell | SG, SF | 1963–66 | December 11, 1993 |
| 35 | Phil Hubbard | PF, C | 1975–79 | January 11, 2004 |
| 41 | Glen Rice | SF | 1985–89 | February 20, 2005[54] |
| 45 | Rudy Tomjanovich | PF | 1967–70 | February 8, 2003 |
is a 40% career shooter from 3 and nearly 85% FT shooter. that tells me he may be able to extend his range to nba levels. he's got a good build too for his size. i think there is a shot that he could be a vinnie johnson off the bench. he's already improved that step back jumper big time this year. if you can shoot, you can last in the nba.
If he can guard at an NBA level and hit threes without turning the ball over, then maybe he can be a backup point guard somewhere. But the position is absolutely stacked right now, so it will be a challenge. The best case scenario would be a Steve Blake-ish career, but Blake did have a couple inches on him...
March 22nd, 2017 at 11:20 PM ^
Athleticism is overrated, or at least it's not a necessary condition to being in the nba. Clearly Walton is no LBJ athletically, but he still has all the potential in the world to be an NBA starter. Like just about every draft pick, he'll have to improve significantly and we know he certainly has the dedication and discipline to do so.