The work didn’t stop for Thomas Walkup when he went undrafted this summer in the 2016 NBA Draft. Going undrafted was not going to stop him from chasing his NBA Dream. Why would it? Walkup has devoted so much of his life to basketball that he couldn’t just quit after one bump in the road. “I’ve been playing basketball for as long as I can remember,” Walkup told Def Pen.
Walkup played four seasons at Stephen F. Austin, where he became one of the best players to ever attend SFA. In his senior year, Walkup dominated the Southland Conference. He averaged 18.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Not only in his senior year but his junior year as well, he was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year. Walkup lead the Lumberjacks to a 28-6 record in the 2016 season.
They entered the NCAA Tournament as 14 seed. Their first game came against the number three seed, West Virginia. Stephen F. Austin came out firing on all cylinders. They went back and forth with West Virginia in the first half, as the Lumberjacks went into halftime up three, 31-28. When the second half began the Lumberjacks opened the came up. They won the second half 39-28, giving them a satisfying 70-56 win over Mountaineers. Thomas Walkup was the star of the game. His performance was electric, as he dropped 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals in the game. He shot 2-3 from the three-point line and was 19-20 from the free throw line. The Lumberjacks had upset West Virginia and went on to play in one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
The Lumberjacks fought hard against Notre Dame, but it was not enough. In a closely contested game all the way to the final buzzer, the Fighting Irish were able to withstand Walkup and the Lumberjacks. A last second tip-in shot by Notre Dame’s Rex Pflueger won them the game, as they took a 76-75 lead as time expired. While Stephen F. Austin had lost, they put up a tough fight. Walkup scored 21 points, while also having five assists and five rebounds in his last game as a Lumberjack.
Thomas Walkup then focused on his future in the NBA. While he went undrafted, Walkup continued to work on his game, something he always did. Nothing changed in Walkup’s mentality after going undrafted he said. “I knew it would be a difficult road to the NBA either way,” Walkup said. He played with the Golden State Warriors in Summer League, where he was able to showcase to NBA scouts what he brings to the table as a 6’4 combo guard that is comfortable playing small forward. He averaged 3.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. His play was good enough to earn him a training camp invite with the Chicago Bulls, but he isn’t satisfied with just being a camp invite. Like all players do, he believes he belongs in the NBA.
He enjoyed training camp with the Bulls and is appreciating the opportunity. “It’s been great,” he said, “just being able to compete against high-level dudes has been pretty awesome. Getting to compete and more importantly learn from them has been really awesome, Walkup continued.
Thomas Walkup went into training camp looking for a roster spot, but he knows that it is tough to do so. “I know that it’s a long journey to the NBA,” he said. While he wants to be in the NBA, he understands it might not happen this time around, but that hasn’t changed his mindset. He knows he belongs. “Just let the chips fall as they may,” he said. “If I don’t make it, this time, I’ll wait for a call-up.”
“If I don’t make it in Chicago, I don’t plan on giving up.”
The Bulls are in the midst of preseason now. Walkup is yet to appear in either of Chicago’s two games, but the Bulls play tonight against the Indiana Pacers. He will compete with other players such as JJ Avila, Isaiah Cannan, Spencer Dinwiddie, and D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera for one of the final roster spots on the Chicago Bulls. He is waiting for his chance, and when he gets it, he’s determined to capitalize on it. “Whenever the opportunity comes, I’ll be ready for it”, Walkup declared.
