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Derrick Walker set to make season debut for Nebraska on Friday

Robin Washut profile picby:Robin Washut•11/24/22•

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(Photo: Nebraska Athletics)

After missing the first five games due to a mysterious absence described only as “healthcare reasons,” Derrick Walker is expected to make his 2022-23 debut for Nebraska on Friday.

A source told HuskerOnline.com that the sixth-year senior would be available to play on Friday for NU’s second game of the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando, Florida.

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Head coach Fred Hoiberg indicated that the 6-foot-9, 245-pound native of Kansas City, Missouri, was “close” to returning to action during his press conference on Tuesday.

“He continues to be day-to-day with his medical condition,” Hoiberg said. “He’s getting closer, and hopefully, we’ll get him back before too long.”

Walker should make an immediate impact

The fifth-year senior was the most efficient low-post scorer in program history last season. He averaged 9.6 points on a school-record 68.3% shooting from the field, breaking Larry Cox’s mark of 67.2% in 1975-76.

Walker was the only Big Ten player and one of 14 nationally to average 8.0 points and shoot above 65%.

Sophomore Blaise Keita has started the past games at the five for Nebraska while Walker was out. The junior college transfer came into the Orlando tournament averaging 6.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

That included dropping 14 points and 10 rebounds against Arkansas-Pine Bluff for his first double-double as a Husker.

“Blaise has done a great job of filling the gap,” Hoiberg said. “Derrick does a lot of things for this team. I think we were most exposed at St. John’s, where Derrick is our pressure release, and he can flash up and make a play for himself or for others.

“So we’ve missed that, but Blaise and Wilhelm (Breidenbach) have done a really good job of filling that void.”

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