Windy City Walkup: Lumberjacks' legend turning heads at the next level

Last March, as he dismantled West Virginia in the NCAA Tournament, the world figured out what every Lumberjacks fan already knew - Thomas Walkup is a star.

10 years ago, a 6-5 guard with an inconsistent jump shot at times and a developing 3-point ball would be an afterthought to NBA scouts. This is, however, a new era of NBA basketball. It's a time when skill players are valued for more than just pure athleticism and freakish physical traits.

Walkup is tailor made for this new league. Some may doubt his abilities, but what's new? The former Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks standout has been defying the odds since high school. Two ACL injuries and a broken foot scared off every DI suitor besides SFA and Houston Baptist. "There was a reason I didn’t have any other scholarship offers besides those two," Walkup would say later. "I wasn't any good.”

There are few better feelings than proving the doubters wrong. Walkup did just that in college. The kid from Deer Park High School transformed himself from low-level recruit to Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year award winner in just 5 years.



True coachability is a rare find. Hitting shots, handling the ball, all those things are great. Being able to listen, learn, take criticism, and grow - that's what sets a player apart. Walkup is that; constantly growing up before the eyes of his fans.

Thomas went unselected during the NBA Draft. No worries. Being underestimated is becoming a trademark of his. Six teams wanted to lock Walkup into a D-League contract on Draft Night and at least a dozen NBA teams tried to sign him to their training camp roster post-Labor Day.

The summer league season perhaps didn't go as hoped with the Golden State Warriors but the Chicago Bulls acquired him for training camp shortly thereafter. Now, a couple months into the season, Walkup is thriving with Chicago's D-League affiliate, The Windy City Bulls.

Over his past five games, Walkup is averaging 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals in around 30 minutes of playing time. This includes a 24-point outing against the Delaware 87ers where he was able to showcase vast improvement in jump shot and 1-on-1 play.

But it’s not only his efficient offensive play that has earned Walkup time on the court - he continues to get it done on the defensive end as well. In the same game against the 87ers, Walkup had 5 steals:

His last steal in the final seconds resulted in a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game:

The same skill-set that helped him thrive and improve his game in college is allowing him to find success at the next level. Walkup is putting in solid minutes and is giving this Bulls team an edge that keeps them in almost every game they play. Doubters will continue to point to his lack of 3-point success as a weakness. If I’m guessing though, doubt is just what Walkup wants.

Underestimate him, blow him off, brush him to the side - It’s nothing but fuel for this still-young player:

If ultimately the NBA doesn't work out? Walkup is nowhere near done with his playing career, so long as he wants to continue.

He will have the option of following in the footsteps of his teammates Jacob Parker, Clide Geffrard, and Taylor Smith and go overseas. Is there any inkling of a doubt that Walkup will make it at the NBA-level? Of course - just like most every unorthodox mid-major player.

But I’m not going to bet against that kid from Deer Park just yet.