After years of struggles, Derrick Walker's persistence is paying off in final Husker season
Outside of maybe Fred Hoiberg, no one understands the struggles Nebraska basketball has had over the past four years more than Derrick Walker.
The sixth-year senior has been with the Huskers through one of the worst stretches in program history. That has included him missing significant time due to suspension, a season disrupted by COVID-19, and a medical issue along the way.
Walker has seen countless Husker teammates come and go since transferring from Tennessee in Hoiberg’s first class in 2019. Yet he is the lone player left standing through the entirety of the Hoiberg era thus far.
Why didn’t he bolt like so many others did when times got tough? Because he was determined to make his mark in changing the culture of Nebraska basketball.
As difficult as things got over the last four years, Walker feels his persistence is finally being rewarded with the Huskers’ late-season turnaround. With a few more wins, NU could clinch a postseason bid for the first time since 2018-19.
More importantly, this season’s group has been the most cohesive of any Walker has played with in Lincoln.
“I’ve had a blast this year,” Walker said. “I think this was the best decision for me. I couldn’t be more thankful to have these guys around and be in the position that we’re in right now. Especially with this being our last year, we’re making the best of it.
“I wouldn’t want any other group of guys than these guys that I have here with me today.”
Bringing Walker back was NU’s top offseason priority
As Walker mentioned, there was no guarantee he would be back at Nebraska after last season. He had already gone through two Senior Days and earned his undergraduate degree in child, youth, and family studies in May 2021.
At 24 years old, the Kansas City, Missouri, native was already looking ahead to his life after basketball. Those plans centered around starting up his own trucking company – Tall Boy Trucking.
But Walker eventually decided he wasn’t quite ready to hang up his high tops just yet. A lot of that had to do with Hoiberg putting the full-court press on him to come back for a sixth college season.
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“That was the No. 1 priority in the offseason, was getting Derrick back,” Hoiberg said. “We’re very thankful that he did… He just has provided so much for our team.”
Walker credits teammates for his best season as a Husker
Looking back on the recent history of Nebraska post players, few fit the mold of what Walker has become.
After setting the school record for single-season field goal percentage (.683) last year, Walker now leads NU in scoring (14.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg) while posting 3.7 assists per game.
As of earlier this week, he was one of only 13 players in the country averaging at least 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
It’s been by far the best individual season of Walker’s long career. But if you ask him, the credit goes to his teammates for helping make it all happen.
“I love this team,” Walker said. “It’s just a great team. It’s just a great year. I think my time here has been paid off with this year and the group of guys that we have. Although I might do a lot, these guys do a lot. These guys give me the ball. These guys feed me the confidence to handle the ball and make a play with the ball.
“Without these guys believing in me, I don’t know if I would’ve ever believed in myself.”
