It hasn't taken long for graduated Michigan point guard Derrick Walton Jr. to impress at the next level. Walton, playing for the Orlando Magic's summer league team, is stating his case to make the roster in the fall.
OrlandoMagicDaily.com reports Walton "shined with his command in the pick and roll and how he was able to change pace and attack the basket" in a recent game, this after he scored 13 points in a matchup with former teammate Zak Irvin and the Miami Heat.
Walton finished Monday’s game with eight points and five assists, shooting 4-for-12 from the floor.
“I love everything about him,” Magic assistant coach Chad Forcier said after the game. “I don’t care if he is 6-5 or 5-5, I like the way he plays the game. He’s a competitor, he’s fearless and he’s very skilled. He plays both ends of the court. I am a fan.”
Walton is playing with poise and "all of his skills from Michigan have translated onto the court and have forced everyone to take notice," OMD reported. He's averaging 10.3 points per game and leads the team with 10 assists (3.3 per game). He's shooting 48.0 percent from the floor and 4 for 9 from beyond the arc (44.4 percent).
“I think I have a lot more to prove, but for the most part I think I have showed a lot,” Walton Jr. said Monday. “With the type of guy I am, I am eager to learn and continue to grow.
“[The Magic] just wanted me to be me. Being a guy who can make shots, defend and disrupt some guys and run the team like I have been doing the last four years in college. I think it’s working out for me.”
Walton is battling for time with former MSU standout Kalin Lucas.
“At this level, guys know who can play,” Walton said. “Playing the right way is the teams that win. I’ve always been about winning. I think we play winning basketball and that stands out. Scoring points is never on my mind. It’s about making the right play each time I’m out there.”
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine, @AustinFox42 and @Balas_Wolverine
• Like us on Facebook
