MBB: Mavs sign Anthony Walker and Brandon Williams
11/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2012
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington men's basketball signed Anthony Walker and Brandon Williams to National Letters of Intent, Mavericks coach Scott Cross announced Friday. Both players will join the Mavericks for the 2013-14 season.
"They bring a lot of size and athleticism," Cross said. "That is one thing that we wanted to do is upgrade our height because we have maximized what we can get out of our guys. We want to take the next step."
Walker is currently a 6-9 sophomore forward from South Plains College. He will enter UT Arlington as a junior and have two years of eligibility remaining.
Walker played in 25 games last season for the Texans, who went undefeated season and beat second-ranked Northwest Florida State College 81-68 for the NJCAA Championship. Walker recorded season highs of 16 points and 13 rebounds during a 106-62 victory over Frank Phillips College on Feb. 16.
"Anthony is 6-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, and he jumps out of the gym and is a high level athlete with his best basketball ahead of him," Cross said. "He was on a national championship team with South Plains."
Walker graduated from Johnson High School in San Antonio in 2011. He was selected to play in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game, scoring 11 points for the South Squad.
Walker is currently playing for the defending NJCAA Division I National Champions South Plains Texans, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA National poll. Former UT Arlington and current NBA D-League player Bo Ingram, and current Mavericks forward Greg Gainey also played at South Plains.
"Anthony is a bigger Greg Gainey," South Plains coach Steve Green said. "He's a very explosive athlete and excellent shot blocker who will thrive in Scott's system. It's a great decision for Anthony and for UTA."
Williams is a 6-9 center from Episcopal High School in Houston, Texas. He is ranked as the 17th best prospect in Houston for the class of 2013 by RCS Sports. Williams played for Texas Pro this past summer.
"Williams is at least 6-9 and a guy that can play the '4' or the '3' down the road," Cross said. "He can shoot the ball. It allows us to take the next step with those two guys. They can both really play and can likely play at a highly level than even us."
