Walkup Inks Training Camp Contract with NBA's Chicago Bulls
9/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO – After helping the Stephen F. Austin men’s basketball team become the talk of the nation last March, former ‘Jack star Thomas Walkup took another step in his journey to the NBA on Thursday when he inked a training camp offer with the Chicago Bulls.
Walkup will report to the Bulls’ training camp on Tuesday and will have until Monday, October 24, to make the cut for the squad’s final roster before the 2016-17 NBA season commences on Tuesday, October 25.
Over the summer, the former Lumberjack star signed an NBA Summer League contract with the Golden State Warriors and proceeded to play in six of the seven summer league tilts for the defending Western Conference Champions. In those tilts, Walkup logged 16 minutes per game and averaged 3.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
“One of the biggest things I took away from my time in the Summer League was just how different the NBA is from the college game,” Walkup said. “You have to adjust your game and adjust how you play because the spacing is so different. Coaches trust you to do everything and expect you to do it the right way.”
As he neared the endpoint of his time in the Summer League, Walkup suffered a broken right index finger that sidelined him for six weeks and jeopardized the timetable for his next move. All of the fine-tuning Walkup’s game had received through his time with the Warriors – from the timing, shooting stroke and movements – needed to be revisited and improved to the point they were at before the injury.
“At the beginning it was tough because it seemed like everybody I knew was agreeing to go to camps or go overseas. Their careers were moving forward and mine was at a standstill,” said Walkup. “I had to work really hard when I was finally cleared because I was behind the eight-ball. I had to get back everything that you use in a live game and on top of that I knew my conditioning was going to be an important component.”
Everything started to look up when Walkup’s agent contacted him earlier in the month of September and presented the Bulls’ offer. Although various offers from overseas clubs cropped up, the decision was made to wait until Walkup was back at 100-percent before giving a nod to any one team.
“That was a test of my patience when I had to wait until I was back to normal,” said Walkup. “Ultimately it was better to do that rather than get somewhere and make a bad first impression because I wasn’t 100-percent healthy.”
The waiting game paid off as the offer from the Bulls was one that was appealing to both the NBA club and Walkup, who believes there is a chance to make the team if not through training camp, then via a 10-day contract throughout the course of the NBA’s regular season.
“I’m very grateful for Golden State giving me the opportunity in the Summer League so I could end up where I am now,” Walkup said. I’ll be spending all my time with the Bulls throughout training camp and if I get cut I’ll be playing for their NBA D-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls,” Walkup said. “Right now, I’ll just see where this opportunity takes me and give it my best shot.”
Walkup is one of just a number of former Lumberjacks who are continuing their basketball careers in various leagues both in the United States and in foreign countries. Below is a list of SFA basketball alums who are competing for squads outside of the U.S.
Nikola Gajic | KK Lastovka | Slovenia (Premier A)
Clide Geffrard | Club Athletico Villa San Martin | Argentina (TFB)
Jake Parker | Oettinger Rockets Gotha | Germany (ProA)
Jereal Scott | Garra Canera de Navolato | Mexico (CIBACOPA)
Deshaunt Walker | AngraBasket | Portugal (Proliga)
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