Texas Tech University Athletics
Photo by: Kierra Eyiuche
RED RAIDER SPOTLIGHT: Kerwin Walton
August 27, 2024 | Men's Basketball
ON STAGE at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion with an audience of over 250 that included Texas Tech Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, President Lawrence Schovanec, Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt, Board of Regents Dusty Womble, Mark Griffin, Clay Cash and Cody Campbell, coaches Gerald Myers and Grant McCasland, and many more distinguished guests, sits a member of the Red Raider basketball team who you may not expect. He's on the dais along with Kylee Loewe from the golf program and C.J. Baskerville who is a week away from lining up at safety in the season opener for the football team. They're being interviewed by Robert Giovannetti who starts the event by saying it's the most prestigious gathering he's ever been in front of. It's a night to celebrate the Red Raider Club's Campaign for Fearless Champions which raised over $500 million for 30 facility projects, scholarship endowments and academic resources – every aspect of the student-athlete experience.
Narratives can be hard to break. Kerwin Walton is on stage shattering one. For the past two years while playing at Texas Tech, Walton has been labeled by some as a quiet kid who can hit some 3s. That's the version of him some chose to accept from limited interactions or through the media. On this Friday night in late August, in this moment, he's showing the distinguished gathering that the storyline wasn't completely accurate.
"We couldn't do all the things we do without your support," Walton told the crowd in a confident, thoughtful and grateful fashion. "You're always giving and helping us succeed. It motivates us to perform on the court."
Picture the setting. Hance, Rawls, Long, Sellers, Crofoot. Fuller. Petersen. Many more. Texas Tech royalty. They're all there, and at this moment, they're all listening to Walton. Giovannetti asks: "You're a guy who gets off the bus and you're open. Right? You can hit a shot from wherever you are on the court." Walton gives his response with a wry smile: "For sure." He gets applause and laughs for delivering his response in an assured and humorous fashion. The quiet kid is holding court.
"He was tremendous at the event," McCasland says. "He has a genuine way to convey his heart. I was proud and grateful for his ability to care and carry himself with so much thoughtfulness in front of our donors."
"I thought Kerwin did great," said Terry Crofoot after watching Walton and the team practice Tuesday morning on Jay Crofoot Court in the Womble Basketball Center. "He gave mature responses and offset that impression that some may have had of him. I was impressed."
WALTON IS A SHARPSHOOTER. That part of the narrative is correct. He enters his super-senior season having already made 169 3-pointers in his career and with 720 points through 120 games – split evenly with his first 60 games at North Carolina and the next 60 for the Red Raiders the past two seasons. He went 65-for-136 last season, a 47.8 percentage which led the Big 12 and was the second best in program history behind only Alan Voskuil who shot 50 percent (67 of 134) in 2007-08. As a psychology major, he earned Academic All-Big 12 and NABC Honors Court – the only Red Raider to receive the awards.
Over the past two seasons at Texas Tech, Walton is 88-for-192 (45.5 percent) from beyond the arc in 60 games played and 33 starts. He scored a career-high 22 points last season, going 6-for-7 on 3-pointers in a home win over Omaha and dropped 18 points in Big 12 road games at Houston and UCF. At Houston, Walton was 6-for-9 on 3-pointers and would finish the season making three or more 3s in nine games. In Big 12 play, Walton was second in conference play by shooting 43.7 percent on 3-pointers (38-for-87) and was in the top 10 with 2.1 3s per game.
"I feel like our team is expecting more out of me this season," says Walton, who will turn 23-years-old two weeks before the season-opener on November 5. "I like that. I think I can be in a leadership role and help guide the young guys. I'm confident that my shooting and defense will be there, but at the end of the day, I'm pushing myself more than I ever have to be a better communicator and helping others on the team to succeed. Help show them how to win."
In the postseason, Walton recorded a career-best seven rebounds and contributed 12 points in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinal win over No. 20 BYU before going 3-for-4 on 3-pointers and finishing with nine points against NC State in the NCAA Tournament First Round loss. It was his third trip to the NCAA Tournament.
For those wondering and listening to his words, Walton defines himself as: "Sharpshooter. Consistent. Winner. There's going to be a lot of ups and downs during the season so being able to stay on the course and path is the most important thing. You can't lose sight of what your goals are. What the dream is."
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WALTON IS STANDING IN THE LOBBY of the Frazier at a cocktail party with a smile on his face as he shakes hands with a seemingly endless rotation of people waiting to talk to him. Jerry Rawls and Keith McNeese have extended conversations with him. No, this isn't a joke. He's there waiting for the ceremony to start and is speaking with donors who have been patiently waiting their turn for a conversation. It's a version of Walton that some former teammates, coaches, media and fans may not have known was in him. "My social battery is dead," Walton admits as the crowd works its way into the room for the program.
About to embark on his fifth collegiate season, Walton began his journey by starting 20 games and playing in 29 as a true freshman at North Carolina. He finished the 2020-21 season 58-for-138 (42.0 percent) on 3-pointers and averaging 8.2 points and 1.8 assists per game. His 58 3-pointers led UNC and his 42.0 percentage established a Tar Heel freshman record for highest 3-point percentage with at least 50 makes. He scored his first points with a 3-pointer against UNLV in the second game of the season at the Maui Invitational and had his first double-figure scoring performance with 13 points against Kentucky when he went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. A 19-point performance against Louisville gave him his freshman-season high on a 5-for-7 display on 3s. The season also saw an 18-point, four 3-pointer performance in a win over Duke in the final game of the regular season and 11 points to help UNC win the ACC Championship over Florida State.
The only player on Texas Tech's roster who is entering his third season in the program, he is also the only player to reach the Final Four. Walton, a state champion at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota as a junior and a 26-point scorer during his senior season, was a sophomore at UNC when the Tar Heels lost to Kansas in the 2022 NCAA National Championship Final. He finished that season with 31 games played and one start, averaging just 3.2 points per game in a season where he was 23-for-65 (35.4 percent) on 3-pointers. After starting as a freshman, minutes and production dwindled during that sophomore season including not appearing in either game at the Final Four. That prompted his decision to seek a fresh start, entering the transfer portal after that season though and ultimately deciding to join the Red Raiders who were coming off a trip to the 2022 Sweet 16.
"I remember coming on my first visit and was captivated by the culture here," Walton says while on stage. "The biggest thing for me was the people. That resonated with me. The fan engagement at the games is the best part of playing here. They're always supporting you."
His first season in Lubbock saw him start seven games and play in 27 – averaging 3.6 points and shooting 23-for-56 (41.1 percent) from beyond the arc in his junior season. He started that season with nine points against Northwestern State in the season opener and had highlight performances of 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting on 3s at LSU in the Big 12-SEC Challenge win for the Red Raiders. He also had 12 points against Baylor but would not score in the final seven games or even play in the final three as the tumultuous season came to an end with a first-round loss to West Virgina in the Big 12 Championship.
"I have a lot of experience under my belt," Walton says. "I've played on a lot of different teams with different playing styles. A lot of great players that I've learned from over the years. I feel really confident coming into this season because of everything I've been through and seen."
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WHEN GRANT McCASLAND TOOK OVER the Red Raiders back in March 2023, one of the first parts of his job to meet with players who were on the roster. Walton was one of them. They talked about their vision for the program, individual and team goals, and what the fit could be if he was to return. A mutual interest in coming back was there, leading Walton to attend McCasland's introductory press conference and to be on the court on April 11, 2023, for the first workout led by McCasland. There was some nervous energy, but also a smile and some relief about the opportunity. Last season, Walton was one of seven players who returned from the previous coaching staff. Only Walton and walk-on Jack Francis remain from that roster coming into the second season of the McCasland era and the 100th season in program history.
"He values the well-being of us more than anything," Walton said of McCasland at the NCAA Tournament press conference leading into the matchup against NC State. "We're like his extended family. We all share the common goal of winning. Even in the summer and the first time I met him, the main topic of discussion was how are we going to win a national title."
"Kerwin has made huge strides in every area," McCasland says. "What really caught my eye when I first got to Tech was his work ethic. He spent countless hours in the gym working in the gym individually. You could tell right away that he gives his best every time he's on the court."
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Three days after holding court at the donor event, Walton is back on the Womble Basketball Center for a Monday morning practice with his team. Walton is one of six returners and joins Darrion Williams as the only returner who started all 18 conference games. In conference play, he averaged 8.9 points per game including a game against Oklahoma State where he was 7-for-8 from the field and finished with 16 points. On this day, the last Monday in August, he's on the black team during a scrimmage portion of practice that is nearing its end. His 3-point shooting has been his calling card throughout his career and is still there. He pops an early 3 from the corner with a hand in his face to give his team an early lead. "He trimmed his Afro," Williams says. "I know he's serious about this year." On the other end of the court, he's showing his defensive prowess that is bolstered by a 6-foot-10 wingspan and four years of playing experience. He comes up with a steal and pushes the ball up the court, making a pass five feet passed center court to Christian Anderson who knocks down a 3 of his own.
"I think Kerwin can bring his experience to the table," Chance McMillian says. "He has been in college for a while and knows what it takes to make it far in the tournament. He has been there. I'm seeing him develop into a more vocal person and making his voice heard. He is going to be a big part of the team and that is going to be key."
An offensive rebound a couple possessions later and a driving layup highlights what seems to be more aggressive play. Of his 546 shots taken in college, 395 have been 3-pointers. Yes, there are still some imperfections and work to be done. On another trip down, he drives in and tosses up a floater that turns into an airball. Federiko Federiko grabs the ball for an easy putback. A coach on the other end of the court yells out, "Yeah, Kerr… nice pass" in a teasing manner. A teammate near Walton asks if that was a pass. "Hell no," he replies with a smile as he takes a quick breather on the sideline. A tireless worker who lives in the gym, it's evident in the way he's playing this summer in team workouts that getting to the basket could add to his versatility. That adding to his sharpshooting identity will add to his impact on winning.
"This has been a really important summer for me leading into my last year," Walton says. "It's been really important to me to be ready to make a big jump in my production. We have a great group of guys this year that I was able to gel with right away. We all want to win and we know we need each other to do that. There isn't any selfishness on this team."
Walton, who wears no. 24 to honor Kobe Bryant, posted on social media on August 24 (08/24) to show love for his hero and also a video of his workouts from the summer. It starts with putting in a mouthpiece and clips of conditioning drills, boxing and basketball. On Instagram, the caption was simply, "Mamba Mentality". On X, it was a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and trial."
Walton rarely posts on social media. This isn't for show. He is a fifth-year senior who knows who he is and who he wants to become. He's growing each day, feeling more confident on both sides of the court and speaking in front of a large audience. Owning a strong mentality and commitment to everything he pursues to make his voice and play be heard.
"A lot of people expect great things from me and I expect great things from myself," Walton says.
Narratives can be hard to break. Kerwin Walton is on stage shattering one. For the past two years while playing at Texas Tech, Walton has been labeled by some as a quiet kid who can hit some 3s. That's the version of him some chose to accept from limited interactions or through the media. On this Friday night in late August, in this moment, he's showing the distinguished gathering that the storyline wasn't completely accurate.
"We couldn't do all the things we do without your support," Walton told the crowd in a confident, thoughtful and grateful fashion. "You're always giving and helping us succeed. It motivates us to perform on the court."
Picture the setting. Hance, Rawls, Long, Sellers, Crofoot. Fuller. Petersen. Many more. Texas Tech royalty. They're all there, and at this moment, they're all listening to Walton. Giovannetti asks: "You're a guy who gets off the bus and you're open. Right? You can hit a shot from wherever you are on the court." Walton gives his response with a wry smile: "For sure." He gets applause and laughs for delivering his response in an assured and humorous fashion. The quiet kid is holding court.
"He was tremendous at the event," McCasland says. "He has a genuine way to convey his heart. I was proud and grateful for his ability to care and carry himself with so much thoughtfulness in front of our donors."
"I thought Kerwin did great," said Terry Crofoot after watching Walton and the team practice Tuesday morning on Jay Crofoot Court in the Womble Basketball Center. "He gave mature responses and offset that impression that some may have had of him. I was impressed."
WALTON IS A SHARPSHOOTER. That part of the narrative is correct. He enters his super-senior season having already made 169 3-pointers in his career and with 720 points through 120 games – split evenly with his first 60 games at North Carolina and the next 60 for the Red Raiders the past two seasons. He went 65-for-136 last season, a 47.8 percentage which led the Big 12 and was the second best in program history behind only Alan Voskuil who shot 50 percent (67 of 134) in 2007-08. As a psychology major, he earned Academic All-Big 12 and NABC Honors Court – the only Red Raider to receive the awards.
Over the past two seasons at Texas Tech, Walton is 88-for-192 (45.5 percent) from beyond the arc in 60 games played and 33 starts. He scored a career-high 22 points last season, going 6-for-7 on 3-pointers in a home win over Omaha and dropped 18 points in Big 12 road games at Houston and UCF. At Houston, Walton was 6-for-9 on 3-pointers and would finish the season making three or more 3s in nine games. In Big 12 play, Walton was second in conference play by shooting 43.7 percent on 3-pointers (38-for-87) and was in the top 10 with 2.1 3s per game.
"I feel like our team is expecting more out of me this season," says Walton, who will turn 23-years-old two weeks before the season-opener on November 5. "I like that. I think I can be in a leadership role and help guide the young guys. I'm confident that my shooting and defense will be there, but at the end of the day, I'm pushing myself more than I ever have to be a better communicator and helping others on the team to succeed. Help show them how to win."
In the postseason, Walton recorded a career-best seven rebounds and contributed 12 points in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinal win over No. 20 BYU before going 3-for-4 on 3-pointers and finishing with nine points against NC State in the NCAA Tournament First Round loss. It was his third trip to the NCAA Tournament.
For those wondering and listening to his words, Walton defines himself as: "Sharpshooter. Consistent. Winner. There's going to be a lot of ups and downs during the season so being able to stay on the course and path is the most important thing. You can't lose sight of what your goals are. What the dream is."
 WALTON IS STANDING IN THE LOBBY of the Frazier at a cocktail party with a smile on his face as he shakes hands with a seemingly endless rotation of people waiting to talk to him. Jerry Rawls and Keith McNeese have extended conversations with him. No, this isn't a joke. He's there waiting for the ceremony to start and is speaking with donors who have been patiently waiting their turn for a conversation. It's a version of Walton that some former teammates, coaches, media and fans may not have known was in him. "My social battery is dead," Walton admits as the crowd works its way into the room for the program.
About to embark on his fifth collegiate season, Walton began his journey by starting 20 games and playing in 29 as a true freshman at North Carolina. He finished the 2020-21 season 58-for-138 (42.0 percent) on 3-pointers and averaging 8.2 points and 1.8 assists per game. His 58 3-pointers led UNC and his 42.0 percentage established a Tar Heel freshman record for highest 3-point percentage with at least 50 makes. He scored his first points with a 3-pointer against UNLV in the second game of the season at the Maui Invitational and had his first double-figure scoring performance with 13 points against Kentucky when he went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. A 19-point performance against Louisville gave him his freshman-season high on a 5-for-7 display on 3s. The season also saw an 18-point, four 3-pointer performance in a win over Duke in the final game of the regular season and 11 points to help UNC win the ACC Championship over Florida State.
The only player on Texas Tech's roster who is entering his third season in the program, he is also the only player to reach the Final Four. Walton, a state champion at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota as a junior and a 26-point scorer during his senior season, was a sophomore at UNC when the Tar Heels lost to Kansas in the 2022 NCAA National Championship Final. He finished that season with 31 games played and one start, averaging just 3.2 points per game in a season where he was 23-for-65 (35.4 percent) on 3-pointers. After starting as a freshman, minutes and production dwindled during that sophomore season including not appearing in either game at the Final Four. That prompted his decision to seek a fresh start, entering the transfer portal after that season though and ultimately deciding to join the Red Raiders who were coming off a trip to the 2022 Sweet 16.
"I remember coming on my first visit and was captivated by the culture here," Walton says while on stage. "The biggest thing for me was the people. That resonated with me. The fan engagement at the games is the best part of playing here. They're always supporting you."
His first season in Lubbock saw him start seven games and play in 27 – averaging 3.6 points and shooting 23-for-56 (41.1 percent) from beyond the arc in his junior season. He started that season with nine points against Northwestern State in the season opener and had highlight performances of 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting on 3s at LSU in the Big 12-SEC Challenge win for the Red Raiders. He also had 12 points against Baylor but would not score in the final seven games or even play in the final three as the tumultuous season came to an end with a first-round loss to West Virgina in the Big 12 Championship.
"I have a lot of experience under my belt," Walton says. "I've played on a lot of different teams with different playing styles. A lot of great players that I've learned from over the years. I feel really confident coming into this season because of everything I've been through and seen."
Â
WHEN GRANT McCASLAND TOOK OVER the Red Raiders back in March 2023, one of the first parts of his job to meet with players who were on the roster. Walton was one of them. They talked about their vision for the program, individual and team goals, and what the fit could be if he was to return. A mutual interest in coming back was there, leading Walton to attend McCasland's introductory press conference and to be on the court on April 11, 2023, for the first workout led by McCasland. There was some nervous energy, but also a smile and some relief about the opportunity. Last season, Walton was one of seven players who returned from the previous coaching staff. Only Walton and walk-on Jack Francis remain from that roster coming into the second season of the McCasland era and the 100th season in program history.
"He values the well-being of us more than anything," Walton said of McCasland at the NCAA Tournament press conference leading into the matchup against NC State. "We're like his extended family. We all share the common goal of winning. Even in the summer and the first time I met him, the main topic of discussion was how are we going to win a national title."
"Kerwin has made huge strides in every area," McCasland says. "What really caught my eye when I first got to Tech was his work ethic. He spent countless hours in the gym working in the gym individually. You could tell right away that he gives his best every time he's on the court."
Â
Three days after holding court at the donor event, Walton is back on the Womble Basketball Center for a Monday morning practice with his team. Walton is one of six returners and joins Darrion Williams as the only returner who started all 18 conference games. In conference play, he averaged 8.9 points per game including a game against Oklahoma State where he was 7-for-8 from the field and finished with 16 points. On this day, the last Monday in August, he's on the black team during a scrimmage portion of practice that is nearing its end. His 3-point shooting has been his calling card throughout his career and is still there. He pops an early 3 from the corner with a hand in his face to give his team an early lead. "He trimmed his Afro," Williams says. "I know he's serious about this year." On the other end of the court, he's showing his defensive prowess that is bolstered by a 6-foot-10 wingspan and four years of playing experience. He comes up with a steal and pushes the ball up the court, making a pass five feet passed center court to Christian Anderson who knocks down a 3 of his own.
"I think Kerwin can bring his experience to the table," Chance McMillian says. "He has been in college for a while and knows what it takes to make it far in the tournament. He has been there. I'm seeing him develop into a more vocal person and making his voice heard. He is going to be a big part of the team and that is going to be key."
An offensive rebound a couple possessions later and a driving layup highlights what seems to be more aggressive play. Of his 546 shots taken in college, 395 have been 3-pointers. Yes, there are still some imperfections and work to be done. On another trip down, he drives in and tosses up a floater that turns into an airball. Federiko Federiko grabs the ball for an easy putback. A coach on the other end of the court yells out, "Yeah, Kerr… nice pass" in a teasing manner. A teammate near Walton asks if that was a pass. "Hell no," he replies with a smile as he takes a quick breather on the sideline. A tireless worker who lives in the gym, it's evident in the way he's playing this summer in team workouts that getting to the basket could add to his versatility. That adding to his sharpshooting identity will add to his impact on winning.
"This has been a really important summer for me leading into my last year," Walton says. "It's been really important to me to be ready to make a big jump in my production. We have a great group of guys this year that I was able to gel with right away. We all want to win and we know we need each other to do that. There isn't any selfishness on this team."
Walton, who wears no. 24 to honor Kobe Bryant, posted on social media on August 24 (08/24) to show love for his hero and also a video of his workouts from the summer. It starts with putting in a mouthpiece and clips of conditioning drills, boxing and basketball. On Instagram, the caption was simply, "Mamba Mentality". On X, it was a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and trial."
Walton rarely posts on social media. This isn't for show. He is a fifth-year senior who knows who he is and who he wants to become. He's growing each day, feeling more confident on both sides of the court and speaking in front of a large audience. Owning a strong mentality and commitment to everything he pursues to make his voice and play be heard.
"A lot of people expect great things from me and I expect great things from myself," Walton says.
Players Mentioned
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