Walker One of Five Newcomers for OU

Chris Walker | Men's Basketball | Junior

NORMAN, Okla.-- The No. 6 Oklahoma men's basketball team tips off the regular season against Samford on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 4 p.m. at Lloyd Noble Center. The Sooners will feature five newcomers. Among them is lefty point guard Chris Walker.

Walker, a junior college transfer who has collected a bevy of awards throughout his basketball career, is learning what it's like to be a Sooner and looks to make a new list of accomplishments while in Norman.

Chris Walker Bio | Men's Basketball | 2005-06 Schedule

How long have you been playing basketball and has it always been your favorite sport?
“I've been playing basketball since I was two. Football was my first love, though.”

What is your most embarrassing moment in basketball?
“It was during my senior year of high school when I was playing in a section championship game in Sacramento. I took off for a dunk, but I got hung. It was on the Jumbotron and they kept replaying it. I was so embarrassed.”

What has been your biggest adjustment moving from California to Oklahoma?
“The people. Everyone is friendlier in Oklahoma than in California. In California, people just go about their business and here people go out of their way to speak to me. People wouldn't say hi just to say hi in California.”

What has been your favorite part of becoming a Sooner?
“The tradition of the Sooners. People love Oklahoma and really take pride in the Sooners. You can see it in the family atmosphere.”

What was it like playing in your first OU exhibition game?
“I was nervous. I just wanted to play the perfect game. You're never going to play the perfect game, but I wanted to get those nerves out of the way. Now that it's over, I'm good.”

Is there a game on the schedule this season that you look forward to the most?
“Texas because they are picked to win the Big 12 and picked to go to the Final Four. To get a chance to play them and beat them, that would feel really good.”

How would you describe your role as a point guard?
“In running the offense, make sure everyone is in the right spot. I have to be a vocal leader and apply defensive pressure on the opposing point guard. I have to be that role player that nobody really knows about but gets the job done and puts up a lot of Ws.”

Would you rather score 20 points or rack up 10 assists?
“Easy -- 10 assists. I enjoy seeing other people score. I'd love to rack up that many assists, that is really fun.”

Are there any athletes that you admire?
“Michael Jordan and also Deion Sanders, for my football side. Jordan because he was a leader for his team and he did what it took to help his team win. He was just a winner. I like that.”

What teams did you follow growing up?
“Even though I'm from California, I didn't follow any California teams. My favorite basketball team was the Chicago Bulls. Because I'm a Deion Sanders fan, I just followed whatever team he was on and that was my favorite team. As of now, my favorite football team is the Washington Redskins.”

What is it like living with teammate Longar Longar? Does he have any weird habits you want to expose to the Sooner fans?
“Sometimes late at night, he talks really loud on the phone. He can speak like five languages so when he's talking to people from back home I can hear him saying all kinds of stuff. It's kind of funny.”

What do you do with your free time?
“I study a lot and talk to my mom and other family members.”

So how long have you been sporting the braided hairdo?
“Since I was going into my freshman year of high school. I haven't cut it since then.”

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