WICHITA, Kan.—The TBT Region games in Wichita this past week have had a little bit of hometown flavor for former Hutchinson Salthawk native Caleb Walker playing with the Wichita AfterShocks.
While Caleb didn't play for WSU, networking in basketball works in many ways. "Yeah, I knew several guys from the team and I have known Zack Bush for quite a while, so when he called and said they needed a player for my position, I said sure, I'll come" Walker said in a phone interview late on Monday.
Walker graduated from Hutch High in 2008 after playing 4 years of football for Randy Dreiling and basketball for Phil Anderson, he took his talents first to Butler Community College and then to Nebraska graduating in 2012. When the NBA didn't call, he was bound for Europe where he has played for the past 10 seasons with great success. He played for Team FOG Naestved for two years in Denmark, then moved on to France, Belgium , Portugal, Israel and most recently wrapped up his 2nd season with SLUC Basket Nancy again in France.
Former KU Jayhawk Frank Mason III is a Nancy team-mate with Walker on SLUC Basket Nancy.
SLUC Basket Nancy played in the same Euro League with this year's number 1 NBA draft pick, Victor Wembanyama who was taken by the San Antonio Spurs. Walker said "Yeah, he was pretty good. We played them twice in league play."
Walker indicated that European basketball was similar to the NBA's G-League in talent, it just is played a little slower, but the talent is there. "It gives guys a chance to make a living and maybe can compete at the next level."
Walker, who is 33 years old, hopes to play for 6-8 more years. He is planning a family now as well as his 11 year old son Cayman has been watching is dad star for the AfterShocks. Walker hopes to maybe go into coaching after his career comes to an end.
Right now, he is contributing to the AfterShocks success as they have won three straight games and have moved into the TBT Quarter Finals.
The AfterShocks looked buried in Round 2 against the Beale Street Boys, down by 21 points in the second half. But, the Wichita State alumni squad roared back in front of a raucous Koch Arena crowd, outscoring the Beale Street Boys 25-7 in the fourth quarter to advance to the regional final. In Sunday's game vs Team Arkansas, Walker had 14 points to lead the AfterShocks in scoring.
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