Jabari Walker will not return to CU Buffs, report says
May 2, 2022, 10:26 AM
Colorado Buffaloes star forward Jabari Walker will not return to the hardwood in Boulder, staying in the draft, according to NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony.
“Jabari is fully committed to becoming a professional basketball player and has no intentions on returning to school. He wants to sign with an agent and go all in,” his father, Samaki Walker told ESPN.
Walker announced in March that he would put his name into the pool. His name is not included on most NBA mock drafts as either a first or second-rounder. Buffs head man Tad Boyle told the Daily Camera last week that Walker may still look to leave if he could line up a deal to sign as an undrafted free agent and go to the NBA G League. Boyle said to the Camera that he felt Walker’s decision was 50-50.
The decision deals a huge blow to the Buffs’ hopes of dancing next March. Walker had a breakout freshman season in 2020-21, helping CU to the dance as a role player on a senior-heavy squad. In 2021-22, he took over as a leader of the herd, pacing the Pac-12 in double-doubles, named to the conference first team while scoring 14.6 points, capturing 9.4 rebounds per game and shooting 46%.
Walker has until June 1 to pull his name out and keep NCAA eligibility.
Walker leaves a massive hole in the Buffs’ frontcourt with Evan Battey bolting from Boulder. Soon-to-be junior Tristan Da Silva is the only rotational big returning for Colorado, and he was a role player this past season, scoring just 9.4 points per game. He did improve massively from his freshman season, and he will likely slide from the three over to his natural position of the four.
Colorado will rely on soon-to-be-sophomore Lawson Lovering, who had a rough freshman season in surgery, and freshman Joe Hurlburt, who is likely not ready for bigtime college minutes. The Buffs may have to hit the transfer portal to get a viable five.
Walker will join a shortlist of Buffaloes who have left the team after two seasons for the NBA, including Chauncey Billups and Alec Burks.
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