South Carolina forward EJ Walker is making headlines as he plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Walker just wrapped up his first season with the Gamecocks and is now looking for a new opportunity after contributing off the bench as a true freshman.
Initially, the team expected him to redshirt. That plan shifted when head coach Lamont Paris decided to use Walker’s skills during the season.
Now, with the transfer portal open, Walker seems ready to see what else is out there for his college basketball career. It’s a big move, and plenty of folks are watching to see where he’ll land.
Walker’s Journey at South Carolina
EJ Walker arrived at South Carolina with a lot of buzz. At 6’7 and 253 pounds, he drew interest from big programs like Ohio State, Purdue, and Wisconsin.
In the end, the Gamecocks landed him—a pretty nice recruiting win for South Carolina. People had high hopes for what he’d bring to the team.
At first, Walker was supposed to redshirt his freshman year. But after a rocky 5-3 start, including losses to power conference teams, Coach Paris changed his mind and put Walker into the rotation.
Walker made his college debut on December 6 in a win over Stetson. From then on, he became a regular contributor off the bench.
Performance and Statistics
Walker played in 22 games this season. He averaged 2.9 points and 2.7 assists per game.
His shooting was a bit inconsistent. He shot 42.9% from the field, but his three-point and free-throw numbers were lower—24.1% and 47.1%, to be exact.
Key Statistics:
- Games Played: 22
- Points Per Game: 2.9
- Assists Per Game: 2.7
- Field Goal Percentage: 42.9%
- Three-Point Percentage: 24.1%
- Free-Throw Percentage: 47.1%
Coach Paris’s Perspective
Head coach Lamont Paris often spoke about Walker’s understanding of the game. “He has a tremendous understanding of what we would like to do,” Paris said.
Even when Walker was set to redshirt, he paid close attention in practice and always seemed to know the answers to Paris’s questions. Paris described him as intentional and a very focused listener.
“I don’t know if it’s probably a combination of intelligence, combined with intent, very intent listening… He’s really intentional about it,” Paris added. Walker’s focus and effort definitely helped him stay ready when his number was called.
The Decision to Transfer
Now that the season’s over, Walker has decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He joins three other South Carolina players who’ve also announced plans to leave.
This move signals some big changes ahead for the Gamecocks’ roster. It’s not clear yet how things will shake out for the team or for Walker.
For Walker, the transfer portal offers a shot at finding a better fit. Maybe a new environment will help him develop his skills and get a bigger role on the court.
Looking Ahead
As Walker explores his options, several things will probably factor into his decision. Coaches will look at how he played at South Carolina, his high school record at Erlanger (KY) Lloyd, and his ranking as the No. 205 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, according to Rivals Industry Ranking.
Factors Influencing Walker’s Decision:
- Performance at South Carolina: Contributions off the bench, understanding of the game
- High School Track Record: Three-star prospect from Erlanger (KY) Lloyd
- Recruiting Ranking: No. 205 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle
Walker’s next team will probably want to offer him a bigger role and help him improve his shooting. That’s likely to be a big draw for him as he weighs his options.
Conclusion
EJ Walker’s entry into the NCAA transfer portal is a big moment in his college basketball journey. After a season of growth and learning at South Carolina, he’s now looking for a new home where he can keep developing his game.
Fans and analysts will probably keep a close eye on his next move. For more details on Walker’s decision and future updates, check out the original article here.
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