M. J. Walker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
M. J. Walker

Walker with Florida State in 2018
No. 1 – Greensboro Swarm
Small forward / shooting guard
Personal information
Born	(1998-03-28) March 28, 1998 (age 26) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
High school	Jonesboro (Jonesboro, Georgia)
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight	213 lb (97 kg)
Career information
College	Florida State (2017–2021)
NBA Draft	2021 / Undrafted
Pro career	2021–present
League	NBA G League
Career history
2021–2023	Westchester Knicks
2021–2022	Phoenix Suns
2023	Vancouver Bandits
2023	Brampton Honey Badgers
2023–2024	Saint-Quentin
2024	Greensboro Swarm
2024	Canterbury Rams
2024–present	Greensboro Swarm
Career highlights and awards
NZNBL champion (2024) Second-team All-ACC (2021) McDonald's All-American (2017) Nike Hoop Summit (2017)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  United States FIBA Americas U18 Championship Gold 2016 Chile Team

James Michael "M. J." Walker Jr. (born March 28, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for Florida State Seminoles.

High school career

Walker at the 2017 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

Walker attended Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Georgia. He initially played football but he decided to focus on basketball after the summer of 2016. As a sophomore in 2014–15, Walker averaged 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 steals leading Jonesboro to a 32–1 record and the 2015 Georgia Class 4A state championship. As a junior in 2015–16, Walker averaged 22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists leading Jonesboro to a 28–5 record, regional title, and 2015 state title. As a senior in 2016–17, Walker averaged 27.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists leading Jonesboro to a 23–6 record.

Recruiting

Walker was a five-star recruit who received offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, UCLA, and Virginia Tech. Walker committed to playing college basketball for Florida State.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
M. J. Walker SG	Riverdale, GA	Jonesboro (GA)	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	207 lb (94 kg)	May 24, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:   ESPN grade: 92
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 27  247Sports: 35  ESPN: 27
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:

College career

As a sophomore, Walker averaged 7.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Florida State compiled a 29–8 record and reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. At the conclusion of his junior season, Walker was named All-ACC Honorable Mention. As a senior, he averaged 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing the additional season of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professional career

Westchester Knicks (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Walker signed with the New York Knicks on August 20, 2021, but was waived on October 16. In October 2021, he joined the Westchester Knicks as an affiliate player. Walker averaged 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

Phoenix Suns (2021–2022)

He signed a 10-day COVID-19 hardship exemption contract with the Phoenix Suns on December 30, 2021. He appeared briefly in two games for the Suns that season.

Return to Westchester (2022–2023)

On January 9, 2022, Walker was reacquired by the Westchester Knicks. On September 22, Walker resigned with the Knicks on a training camp deal but was waived a day later.

On October 24, 2022, Walker was named to the training camp roster for the Knicks.

Vancouver Bandits (2023)

On June 6, 2023, Walker signed with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. However, he was released on July 8 after averaging 11.2 points through 9 games for the club.

Brampton Honey Badgers (2023)

On July 29, 2023, Walker signed with the Brampton Honey Badgers ahead of the postseason.

Saint-Quentin (2023–2024)

On August 3, 2023, Walker signed with Saint-Quentin of the LNB Pro A.

Greensboro Swarm (2024)

On January 19, 2024, Walker joined the Greensboro Swarm.

Canterbury Rams (2024)

On March 12, 2024, Walker signed with the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the 2024 season.

Return to Greensboro (2024–present)

On October 27, 2024, Walker rejoined the Greensboro Swarm.

National team career

Walker played for the United States national under-18 team at the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile. In four games, he averaged 2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, helping his team win the gold medal.

Career statistics

NBA

College

Personal life

Walker is the son of James and Jackie Walker, and has an older sister, Amoni, who plays for Miles College. His father, James, played college basketball at Norfolk State University and his mother, Jackie, played women's college basketball for Hampton University.

See also

In Spanish: M. J. Walker para niños