One of the most anticipated high school students in the United States, author of a record in Baylor history with his 28 points in his first game, Ja'Kobe Walter is one of the rare “one-and-dones” to have confirmed his status this season. There is little doubt about his place among the first 30 called by Adam Silver.
But the back did not shine as much as expected, like his Bears training. Few other candidates, however, seem to be up to his level in his register of volume shooter, always valuable in the NBA.
Profile
Job : back
Size : 1m94
Weight : 90 kg
Team : Baylor Bears
Stats 2023/24: 14.5 points at 37.6%, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 32 minutes
Strong points
– The diversity of his outside shot. In movement, Ja'Kobe Walter very probably has no equivalent within this 2024 vintage. His movement is fluid and rapid, and his support work is remarkable for always positioning himself before triggering his shot. It is just as interesting following a pass.
– A leadership attitude. A freshman on a team made up mostly of veterans at Baylor, he showed character and boundless energy, not hesitating to dive to save balls or harangue his teammates. The kind of behavior that can quickly gain support from the public and its partners.
Weak points
– Inconsistency. Did the Bears rub off on Ja'Kobe Walter or the other way around? Starting off on a very good basis, the back collapsed in the second half of the season, causing his percentages to plummet (32.6%, 31.6% at 3-points in the last 17 games). A reflection of the game of Ja'Kobe Walter, capable of very good defensive sequences, particularly away from the ball, and terrible forgetfulness. The 19-year-old is also capable of completely forgetting his qualities of circle attack and foul provocation to fall into a one-dimensional style offensively.
Comparison
If Ja'Kobe Walter manages to get his defensive potential in order, he can be a very serious 3&D, way Kentavious Caldwell-Popeor even a ceiling on Khris Middleton in the best case. Or conversely be a mission player like Reggie Bullock.
Prognosis
End of Top 20, possibly at the end of the lottery (he was also invited to the “Green Room”), for teams lacking shooters like the Kings (13e), the Lakers (17e), the Magic (18e) or the Raptors (19e).
