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Jarace Walker's first preseason with the Indiana Pacers is over. He averaged 8.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game across four outings for the blue and gold. His defense was solid, but his efficiency was wobbly.
His first outing was extremely impressive. He had 19 points and led all scorers while also pulling in nine rebounds. It was a terrific start. But his effectiveness waned as the exhibitions went on. He showed how he can help and where he needs to grow.
Next up for the rookie is the regular season, and Indiana kicks things off on Wednesday against the Washington Wizards. It will be the first chance for Walker to show what he can do in games that count, though his spot in the rotation is still not known.
Regardless of his playing time, the lottery pick has a key goal for this upcoming season. He wants to make the playoffs, something the Pacers haven't done in three years.
"I wouldn't say I write them down, but I definitely keep them in the back of my mind. And I mean, for this year, I feel like the biggest thing is just making the playoffs," Walker said of his goals in a recent interview with AllPacers. "That's what the team keeps talking about."
Walker has always been on a winning team. He noted that from AAU play, to high school at IMG Academy, to college at Houston, his teams have always been successful. He hopes to continue that with Indiana.
As for personal goals or accolades, that isn't really how the eighth-overall pick does things. In his eyes, if wins come, then recognition will come.
That's what happened in the NCAA ranks. Walker's Cougars went 33-4 and were a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. The now-Pacer won the American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Rookie of the Year award and received several more honors. That's a path he hopes to copy in the NBA, though it will take time.
Indiana was a 35-win team last season, so they need to improve if they want to become a postseason squad. Walker sees a few things as being important for that improvement to come. "I feel like the main thing is chemistry for sure," he said. "Also I feel like defense and rebounding... if we continue to keep those things in mind, I feel like we'll be on a good track."
Walker could be useful on the defensive end right away, though the NBA game is much different than lower levels of basketball. He will have a lot to learn, just like every rookie.
Other Pacers players have shared similar goals throughout the summer — Tyrese Haliburton and Jordan Nwora both stated their playoff desires in the offseason. It's clearly what Indiana wants while also hoping for long-term success.
In the aforementioned interview with Walker, the Pacers rookie shared that he is joining Under Armour. That information can be found here. He could make his NBA debut in the coming week as Indiana's playoff-hopeful 2023-24 campaign begins.
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