New Eagles proving they’re the Daddy
LEGEND TJ IMPRESSED BY ROOKIES’ EARLY FORM
WHEN TJ Walker takes practice at Ceres High School this week, as head coach of the Bulldogs’ varsity basketball team, it’s unlikely his teenage charges will be aware they’re in the presence of Newcastle Eagles royalty.
In seven seasons with the men in black, the talented guard always averaged double figures in scoring and emerged as a pivotal figure at the heart of the franchise’s historic first clean sweep in 2006.
Little wonder that he was the first player inducted to the Eagles’ Hall of Fame – the playmaker’s number five jersey was retired to honour an individual who embodied Newcastle’s rise to British basketball dominance.
“People forget that there was talk of me being sent home in the early days of my Newcastle career,” admitted Walker. “It’s never easy moving to a new country and a new league – just ask any of the guys the Eagles signed this summer.
“I had to adjust to the league that year. It took me a month or so to see that I needed to be more aggressive offensively and still do the other things that I like to do on the court.”
Walker is well aware of the challenges facing all seven of Newcastle’s new breed this season.
Nicknamed ‘The Daddy’ during his time on Tyneside has noticed the Eagles’ new backcourt pairing have quickly settled into their roles at Sport Central.
“A 5-0 start to the league season is big,” he added. “With a new group coming in it usually takes a while to gel. But the new guys have been tested early and have shown late-season mindsets. I’m very impressed.”
BBL rookie Saah Nimley has already been compared to Walker, with the former’s quick thinking and even quicker hands a thorn in the side of disorientated rivals.
“I know Saah and Jaysean Paige have been the talk of the BBL this season,” added Walker.
“Paige went to West Virginia and that’s all I needed to know. I’m one of the biggest (West Virginia head coach) Bobby Huggins fans and always wanted to play for him.
“If you know Huggins then you know what type of players go through his program.
“Saah’s skill level was obviously there but what I like the most about him is what his team-mates said about him in an interview during his senior year…to a man they said he was a leader.
“I don’t know the kid personally but from what I have seen, he might have one of the biggest hearts in the league and that’s all that matters.”
Walker is also keeping tabs on Terry Martin, whom he recommended to Flournoy.
“I rarely send names to Fab because I know better than most what it takes to make Newcastle,” he said.
“The majority of the kids I come across don’t show me the work ethic required so I don’t even bother to mention the Eagles!
“But I saw game film on Terry and right away I saw something that it in reminds me of Chuck – aka Charles ‘I Get Buckets’ Smith. “Terry has that same ability to do a lot of things on the floor both offensively and defensively. “I definitely felt that Fab and the club could teach him how to be a professional on and off the court. Now it’s on him to soak it all up. If he does then the sky’s the limit for Terry.”
Walker would love to revisit his home from home but a chronic fear of flying has prevented what would be a celebrated return to the North East.
“I want to come back but I’ve got to overcome that hurdle,” he added. “There are plans for 2018…watch this space.”
Walker’s former BBL clubs, Newcastle Eagles and Cheshire Phoenix, clash in the BBL Cup quarter-final at Sport Central from 7.30pm on Friday.
I rarely send names to Fab because I know better than most what it takes to make it in Newcastle TJ Walker