Feb. 14, 2005

When Che' Walker was offered a basketball scholarship to Samford University four years ago, she had accomplished something she didn't think was possible. Unlike most college players, Walker didn't start playing basketball until she was 11 years old.

"I joined my junior high team in Marietta," Walker said. "I had never played basketball before, because all I did before was dance. I couldn't have been worse, because I had no coordination. I had just never played before, so it was pretty interesting.

"I didn't know if I would be able to get a basketball scholarship because I started so late," Walker said. "Most of my friends started playing when they were five or six years old, and I didn't start until I was 11 years old. So, coming here on a basketball scholarship, and playing to get my school paid for is pretty much a dream come true."

Walker credits her development as a player to the fact that she played year-round every year from the time she started playing.

"I think the thing that helped me the most was playing AAU and the fact I played all year-round," Walker said. "From the time I started playing, I was playing all year-round. Playing AAU was great because I got to play with so many different girls from different backgrounds. In AAU, you play with the best girls in your state, and the coaches really help develop your skills in the summertime. We went from basketball camps to the regular season and then straight into summer ball, there was never a break."

While playing high school basketball at McEachern High School, in Powder Springs, Ga., Walker was named the Cobb County Honorable Mention Player of the Year as a senior. She was also named the Cobb County Tip-Off Club's Academic Player of the Year, and was an All-American Scholar Athlete in 2001.

Walker's strong academic record was one of the reasons why she chose to continue her education, and her playing career at Samford.

"A lot of it centered around academics," Walker said. "I didn't know what I wanted to be, but I knew I wanted to do postgraduate studies somewhere. Also, the makeup of the campus reminded me a lot of my high school."

Walker said the transition from high school basketball to college was an adjustment, but the coaches helped make it a little easier.

"In high school, you're used to playing your role, but in college, everybody's good, so you have to fill a different role," Walker said. "But, the coaches made the transition easy for me when I came here. When you come to college, they are on you, not just about basketball, but about grades, and about your social life as well. It kind of helps to balance things out."

After her freshman season at Samford, Mike Morris, a former assistant coach with the Samford men's team, took over as the head coach of the women's program.

"The transition was smooth," Walker said. "I think we were ready for what he was ready to give us. The system of learning, and the intensity he expected from us, that was what we all wanted."

From her freshman year to her sophomore season, Walker's average scoring and rebounding went up, as did her minutes played. She started 15 of her 26 games as a sophomore. In her junior season, Walker missed part of the season with an injury, but she still saw action in 18 games, including nine starts.

As a senior, Walker missed the first four games of the season, but she has played in the last 17 games, starting 12 contests. She is currently averaging 3.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in her final season in a Samford uniform.

After she finishes at Samford, Walker has an internship at a law firm in Atlanta. After the summer, she plans on attending law school at Emory, Northwestern or Washington & Lee.