EJ Walker's journey at South Carolina has been quite the ride. Initially gearing up for a redshirt season, the freshman forward found himself thrust into action by head coach Lamont Paris, who saw the potential for Walker to make a real impact on the court.
Hailing from Florence, KY, Walker was a standout at Lloyd Memorial, earning three-star recruit status. He spent the first eight games of the 2025-26 season observing from the sidelines as the Gamecocks posted a 5-3 record.
Those wins came against less formidable opponents, while the losses were to top-tier teams. It was after a tough overtime loss to Virginia Tech that Paris decided to give the 6-foot-7, 250-pound rookie his shot.
Walker debuted against Stetson on December 6, contributing two points and two rebounds in 13 minutes. South Carolina dominated with an 82-51 win, and Walker's redshirt was officially history. Since then, he's appeared in 16 of the next 18 games, even starting against Texas and Missouri.
Coach Paris praised Walker's understanding and keen attention to detail, noting, "He always knows the answer to what I’m asking," a testament to Walker's focus and intelligence even when he wasn't playing.
In 12 SEC games, Walker has averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds over nearly 16 minutes per game, shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field. While his numbers might not jump off the page, his role as the seventh man has been a pleasant surprise for a player who wasn't expected to see the floor. His recent performance, including a key three-pointer in a win against Mississippi State, highlights his growing confidence and contribution to the team.
Walker was noted as "one of the most improved players" by Paris during the offseason. His high school career at Lloyd Memorial was stellar, leading in points and maintaining a 4.0 GPA, choosing South Carolina over other top programs like Purdue and Ohio State.
As Walker continues to develop, he'll have another chance to showcase his skills against Kentucky on Tuesday night, a game that promises to be a significant test for this promising freshman. Keep an eye on Walker as he looks to further establish himself in the SEC.