Jefferson Reporter

The Player of the Year returns.

 

Jordan Walker, the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year and C-USA Tournament MVP, announced Thursday that he will return to UAB for the 2022-23 season. Walker ranked third nationally in total 3-pointers made (116), eighth in 3-pointers made per game (3.41), 14th in total points scored (690), 16th in points per game (20.3) and 28th in free-throw percentage (.880) during a historic 2021-22 campaign.

 

Walker averaged 31 points per game in UAB's Conference USA Tournament Championship run in March, scoring 27 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists in the Blazers' C-USA Championship game victory over Louisiana Tech on March 12. The Tournament MVP also scored 40 points to set a new UAB single-game scoring record for most points scored on a neutral court in UAB's triple-overtime win over Middle Tennessee in the C-USA Tournament semifinals.

 

The Long Island, New York native paced Conference USA in points per game, total points scored, total 3-pointers made and 3-pointers made per game. He also ranked third in the league in assists per game (4.94), free-throw percentage (.880) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.396).

 

Walker's standout season also helped him earn First Team NABC District 11 honors, Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors and Kevin Connors Second Team Mid-Major All-American honors this past season. He set a UAB single-season record with 18 20-point performances, highlighted by a career-high 42 points against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 5 to set the new UAB single-game scoring record.

 

"This past season is one I'll never forget," Walker said in his announcement video. "Helping restore the Bartow Standard is something I will cherish forever.

"First and foremost, I want to thank God because without him none of this would be possible. To my coaches, thank you for embracing who I am and molding me into the man I've become. To my teammates, thank you for sticking with me through the ups and downs. The journey wasn't easy, but we never wavered in the face of adversity. We raised another banner and solidified our place in UAB history. Nobody can take that from us. The memories we created will live on forever, but my focus is set on the future. With that being said, there's more work to be done. Jelly's back."

 

The reigning MVP will join Blazers Trey Jemison, Tavin Lovan and KJ Buffen as four key contributors to return to Birmingham for their extra year of eligibility. All four student-athletes played vital roles in helping the Blazers capture their sixth conference tournament title in March, punching UAB's ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the 16th time in program history.

 

Walker, Jemison, Lovan and Buffen will return to UAB next season alongside the addition six new Blazers, five of which are from the transfer portal. Eric Gaines (LSU), Javian Davis (Mississippi State), Ledarrius and Ty Brewer (ETSU), and Tyler Bertram (Binghamton) comprise the five student-athletes UAB and head coach Andy Kennedy have added through the transfer portal since March 30. The Blazers will also add in-state high school standout Efrem "Butta" Johnson to the 2022-23 roster.

Original source can be found here.