CaneSport TV: Up close with Miami Hurricanes forward Anthony Walker
Fourth-year junior forward Anthony Walker earned high praise from Miami Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga recently, with the coach touting Walker developing his three-point shot into a major weapon.
“The only thing I told him is to not fall in love with the three,” Larranaga said.
Walker’s perspective?
He’ll do whatever it takes to help the team win.
“I want to be more consistent in my shooting, free throw shooting, midrange shooting and catch-and-shoot threes,” Walker said. “Look for me to be really consistent with the open threes I take, my shot selection.
“Me hitting threes gets (other players) more driving lanes. So being able to spread the defense out is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Walker has plenty of experience, starting 16 games as a true sophomore and two this past season. He averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 2020-21, then 4.9 points and 2.5 rebounds a year ago.
“I’ve been putting on weight, getting stronger in the weight room (this offseason),” Walker said. “I’m trying to be more of a leader since now I’m an upperclassmen, a lot of young guys, new guys coming in. I’m trying to be more of a vocal leader, show them how things are doing around here and the winning mentality.”
Walker knows this is a team that has to replace some pieces – namely top scorer Kam McGusty, floor leader/ball distributor Charlie Moore and do-everything 4-man Sam Waardenburg.
The Canes added key pieces with transfer PG Nijel Pack and big man Norchad Omier transferring in.
“(Omier) is an extremely hard worker from Day 1,” Walker said. “Everyone says he looks strong and tough, but he’s really a soft teddy bear off the court.”
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Miami also returns high-scoring 2 guard Isaiah Wong and a solid scoring/rebounding option with Jordan Miller.
So how is this team different from a year ago?
“One thing we’re working on is learning how to mesh together and play together,” Walker said. “That’s going pretty well, we’re pretty comfortable on the court with each other. I wouldn’t say there’s many differences. We’re still undersized, lower on the weight total compared to other teams. But we’re still going to play fast, play scramble, do what we did last year because we still have all the pieces and tools to do so. We look real good in practice.”
With the Miami Hurricanes looking to make another NCAA Tournament run off an Elite Eight appearance, the hope is this team will make plenty of noise in the ACC and the postseason.
“We had a lot of fun last year,” Walker said. “I’m trying to emphasize to all the new players, old players that we have to bring that same fun back, swagger back. That’s what we’re looking forward to do.
“It’s going to be a fun season.”
