What is Alabama basketball getting in Wichita State transfer Jaykwon Walton?

After practice one day during the 2021-22 season, former Shelton State basketball coach Joseph Eatmon was sitting in his office with his assistant coaches when Jaykwon Walton entered.

The group was preparing for a game the next day, but they paused to hear a message from Walton.

Don't worry about putting him in the starting lineup, Walton told them. Sure, he was a former SEC player at Georgia, but what Shelton State was doing while he was out was working.

Walton had just missed a portion of the early part of the season with a knee injury but was ready to return.

“We were even worried a little bit, ‘OK, Jaykwon is cleared form his knee injury,'" Eatmon told The Tuscaloosa News. "He’s going to want to be in the starting lineup.'"

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Instead, Walton focused on not disrupting what Shelton State had done. The Bucs had started the season off strong and had only lost a game or two.

“At that moment, we knew winning mattered to the kid," Eatmon said. "That was always something he would always tell us. 'I don’t care if I score, I don’t care if I come off the bench, I don’t care if I start. I just want to win.'"

That's the player Alabama basketball is adding to its roster ahead of the 2023-24 season. Walton announced his decision to transfer to the Crimson Tide on Tuesday, the first incoming transfer Alabama has added since its season ended in the Sweet 16 last week.

For Walton, it's a return to Tuscaloosa, where he spent the 2021-22 season with Eatmon and averaged 12.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals over 22 games. The Bucs finished 30-5 with a regional title and a spot in the NJCAA national tournament.

"Jaykwon is probably one of the most talented offensive players I’ve ever coached," Eatmon said. "He's 6-foot-7, can really, really shoot the 3. Not only can shoot it but he can shoot it with range. Probably one of the best passers I've coached as well. He really fits Alabama's system. He's long, athletic, loves to play up-tempo style. Again, really, really can shoot the 3."

Walton averaged 2.1 3-pointers per game for Eaton. He then transferred to Wichita State, where he finished 40% from beyond the arc this season.

With the Shockers, he started 27 games, averaged 32.3 minutes, 13.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists. One of his best performances came against Houston, in which Walton scored 24 points over 27 minutes.

Wichita State listed him as a guard, but he was all-purpose for Shelton State, Eatmon said. He could play Walton at point guard and on the wing.

"With his ability to rebound, we even played him at the power forward position some," Eatmon said. "He’s got such a high IQ for the game. It makes him very versatile."

Walton is certainly well-traveled and experienced. After graduating from George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery, he played in nine games over two seasons at Georgia. Despite the multiple transfers, Eatmon said he doesn't see any reason why Walton wouldn't be able to play this season at Alabama. Walton will either have to graduate or get a waiver to be eligible as a 4-2-4 transfer.

“They’re exploring both for Jaykwon," Eatmon said. "He is close to graduating. He may need some summer school to get close to graduation. That’s a very possible option. The fact that he’s coming home and some other family issues that have happened recently, I think he’s got a good shot at a waiver too. Right now, they’re exploring both avenues."

Eatmon thinks Walton returning Alabama, and closer to his support system, will allow Walton a chance to become an even better player.

"Jaykwon is going to be a great asset to the team at Alabama," Eatmon said.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What is Alabama basketball getting in transfer Jaykwon Walton?