From Juggernaut to Gamecock to Hilltopper.
EJ Walker’s mascot collection will certainly be one for the books.
Lloyd Memorial’s all-time scorer in basketball announced his commitment to Western Kentucky University on Wednesday, transferring from South Carolina after one season with the Gamecocks.
Walker’s suitors were plenty, the 6-foot-8 forward picking up valuable playing experience in the SEC with the Gamecocks. Initially in what was supposed to be a redshirt season in Columbia, Walker impressed enough to earn a starting role. He appeared in 22 games with six starts and averaged 2.9 points and 2.7 rebounds for the 13-19 Gamecocks. He shot 42% from the field.
A member of the 2025 graduating class, Walker was a three-star prospect and the No. 2 player in Kentucky, according to 247 Sports. In five varsity seasons at Lloyd, he finished with 1,922 points and pulled down 1,196 rebounds. He helped lead Lloyd to the region championship game in 2025 and the Juggernauts made four straight region semifinal appearances in his time in Erlanger, coached by his father Mike Walker.
Walker announced he was entering the transfer portal on March 23. He drew interest from Indiana, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, North Carolina State, Louisiana State, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, Colorado, Clemson, Kansas State and others.
“Good fit to get back to playing his game which is a versatile forward being able to dribble, pass and shoot,” Michael Walker said to WCPO’s Mike Dyer. “(The) previous school had him playing the five which isn’t his natural position and never played before.”
Walker will join a Hilltoppers team coming off an 18-14 season under Hank Plona, set to enter his third season with the team. He’ll be the eighth Kentuckian to join the roster along with current players Teagan Moore (Owen County), Armelo Boone (Woodford County), Kade Unseld (Warren Central), Lawson Rice (Butler County), Cade Stinnett (Greenwood) and incoming freshman Cole Edelen (Ballard) and Gavin Murphy (West Jessamine). Gabe Weis is also signed to WKU, he played at Washington County before going the prep school route to La Lumiere in Indiana.