Jarace Walker entered college as a top-eight high school recruit. And he only boosted his draft stock with a remarkable one-and-done season for Houston in which he demonstrated numerous coveted attributes on both ends of the court. San Antonio could use the best player available at this juncture in the lottery, and the multifaceted freshman fits the bill.
Despite a somewhat limited scoring arsenal, Walker should be able to find his niche as a stationary shooter and intelligent cutter. He sprints the floor in transition, finishes from the dunker spot, and makes a beeline to the rim against sloppy closeouts. The 19-year-old has also earned a reputation as a connective tissue playmaker, dishing pinpoint short-roll passes.
Walker holds most of his value on the defensive end, and you could argue he is the second or third-most versatile stopper in this class. The 6-foot-8 forward should cover threes, fours, and fives with no issue, even switching onto guards in a pinch. And he is lightyears ahead of his peers with his attention to detail on team responsibilities.