Pacers’ Forward Jarace Walker’s Impact Won’t be Seen on Box Score

Former Houston forward Jarace Walker is set to make a big impact for Indiana as a rookie. It just might not show up in the stats.

Jarace Walker, the 2023 NBA Draft’s No. 8 overall pick, is a highly impactful player. It just might not show up in every single box score.

At 6-foot-8, the newest Indiana Pacer is set to join a perfect situation as a defensive playmaker, with an ever-evolving offensive game. That alone isn’t exactly a recipe for eye-popping statistical success, as was showcased in his college numbers: 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.

Those are of course respectable, but in comparison with some of his peers in the 2023 lottery, slightly underwhelming. Still, Walker fits in nicely as a top-ten pick, and that’s evident in his tape.

A defensive-minded forward with do-it-all, glue guy tendencies, there are going to be plenty of nights where Walker’s impact comes via highly capable help defense, high-IQ rotations, hockey assists and more.

And that’s been the case so far in his four NBA preseason games.

The scoring numbers were really only there in his first performance: 19 points on 7-for-15 shooting, knocking down four of his nine attempted 3-pointers. It was easily his best game of the preseason, as he tacked on nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block, too.

In his three other games, though, he made no more than two field goals each despite 21 total attempts. And his total defensive stats for the preseason — three steals and blocks apiece in four games — didn’t necessarily portray his overall impact, either.

All this to say, Walker’s initial NBA season might not yield all the accolades. But the Pacers organization can sleep soundly knowing they’ve drafted a player who is set to make a positive impact for years to come.

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.