Jordan Walker returning for one More Year

[Voluble2]

Glad to hear it.

She can be feisty when she puts her mind to it and we need that attitude.

 

[TennesseeStudVOL]

I'm just glad he's on our side!

 

[madtownvol]

This announcement is great news. I was honestly thinking it is a shame that JW does not have one more season (believing that her eligibility was done). Her improvement curve has been steep this season.. She is just a more effective scorer and better defender.

One factor is that she is another year past her 2nd ACL tear. Next year may be the first time we see her truly at her physical best. I would love to see her play like she is posing in her post-- no clunky knee brace.

Second, she did have some adjustment issues in making the move from a mid-major to a power five.

 

[madtownvol]

Cool. And if Kellie does her job this offseason, she will be a depth player and not a starter next year...

 

[casetopia]

I'm just glad he's on our side!

who?

 

[Volfan2012]

Jordan just post on Twitter that she is returning for one more year! That's awesome news!! Do you think this deters Jasmine Powell or no? Thoughts.

I don't know if it deters anyone because she really wants to be a two guard and could make the switch. I hope it doesn't deter Jasmine she is a better point guard than Walker of Miles when you consider what a point guard needs to do on the court,

 

[Volfan2012]

This puts us down to three open scholarships next season. If we were to get Powell and Jackson we'll be at one. With Jackson and Horston I don't know if you need another post player both are very capable of playing inside both offensively and defensively.

 

[th2421]

This announcement is great news. I was honestly thinking it is a shame that JW does not have one more season (believing that her eligibility was done). Her improvement curve has been steep this season.. She is just a more effective scorer and better defender.

One factor is that she is another year past her 2nd ACL tear. Next year may be the first time we see her truly at her physical best. I would love to see her play like she is posing in her post-- no clunky knee brace.

Second, she did have some adjustment issues in making the move from a mid-major to a power five.

Agreed with all of this! And the stats bear it out, she's improved in basically every area from last year to this year:

• 5.4 to 7.7 points per game
• 26% to 30% 3 pt. %
• 59% to 63% FT %
• 1.0 to 1.2 A/TO ratio
• 0.9 to 1.1 steals per game
• 10.7 to 12.0 efficiency rating
• 1.2 to 1.8 defensive win shares

No reason she can't keep improving!

 

[J-Dog 1313]

Agreed with all of this! And the stats bear it out, she's improved in basically every area from last year to this year:

• 5.4 to 7.7 points per game
• 26% to 30% 3 pt. %
• 59% to 63% FT %
• 1.0 to 1.2 A/TO ratio
• 0.9 to 1.1 steals per game
• 10.7 to 12.0 efficiency rating
• 1.2 to 1.8 defensive win shares

No reason she can't keep improving!

Next year, if we get Powell and Jordan W is moved to the 2, I see Jordan W averaging in double digits in points, along with an increase in her rebounding numbers. For a small guard, she is an excellent rebounder. Glad that Jordan W is coming back.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Feeling really good that Walker will occupy one of the team's scholarships next season...

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Feeling really good that Walker will occupy one of the team's scholarships next season...

So are Lady Vols fans.

 

[Volfan1000]

Solid news.

 

[turbovol]

Walker is 5'8" tall, is shooting 34 percent from the floor (and 29 percent from the 3-point line). I'm not sure where one gets the idea that she could be an effective 2 guard. Her current numbers don't suggest that. Moreover, I'm not sure how anyone could be an effective shooting guard if Horston returns, given how much she has the ball and how much she shoots. She is our shooting guard, or swing forward, and she takes a lot of shots. It might work if we have really good offensive team chemistry, share the basketball, pass effectively--but we've not been very good in that respect in a long time. Maybe next year will be different.....

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Walker is 5'8" tall, is shooting 34 percent from the floor (and 29 percent from the 3-point line). I'm not sure where one gets the idea that she could be an effective 2 guard. Her current numbers don't suggest that. Moreover, I'm not sure how anyone could be an effective shooting guard if Horston returns, given how much she has the ball and how much she shoots. She is our shooting guard, or swing forward, and she takes a lot of shots. It might work if we have really good offensive team chemistry, share the basketball, pass effectively--but we've not been very good in that respect in a long time. Maybe next year will be different.....

For the same reason that Vescovi makes a better 2 guard than PG - Walker, like Vescovi, is not a real PG. When relieved of PG duties, Vescovi has made himself a good 2 guard. In games this year where MIles took the point, it seemed to me Walker was effective a hunting her shot and knocking it down. I'm looking at Walker as PG and 2 guard depth next season. Powell and MIles will run the PG, and Horston will be the primary 2-guard, with Pissott at the three.

 

[Coach Jumper]

For the same reason that Vescovi makes a better 2 guard than PG - Walker, like Vescovi, is not a real PG. When relieved of PG duties, Vescovi has made himself a good 2 guard. In games this year where MIles took the point, it seemed to me Walker was effective a hunting her shot and knocking it down. I'm looking at Walker as PG and 2 guard depth next season. Powell and MIles will run the PG, and Horston will be the primary 2-guard, with Pissott at the three.

 

[TheMississippiVol]

Proud of the player J. Walker has become at Tenn. She has a very steady business-like approach to the game. To me, she’s an excellent leader.
It’s an attribute oftentimes overlooked unless a player is well known. Walker is a glue type player that’s an important piece to the team. Glad to see her stay another year.

 

[Lucy]

For the same reason that Vescovi makes a better 2 guard than PG - Walker, like Vescovi, is not a real PG. When relieved of PG duties, Vescovi has made himself a good 2 guard. In games this year where MIles took the point, it seemed to me Walker was effective a hunting her shot and knocking it down. I'm looking at Walker as PG and 2 guard depth next season. Powell and MIles will run the PG, and Horston will be the primary 2-guard, with Pissott at the three.

KW is going to have something to say about all that!

 

[mlindsay]

For the same reason that Vescovi makes a better 2 guard than PG - Walker, like Vescovi, is not a real PG. When relieved of PG duties, Vescovi has made himself a good 2 guard. In games this year where MIles took the point, it seemed to me Walker was effective a hunting her shot and knocking it down. I'm looking at Walker as PG and 2 guard depth next season. Powell and MIles will run the PG, and Horston will be the primary 2-guard, with Pissott at the three.

Lineup will look more like; Not including Rickea

Starters/Bench:
PG-Powell/Miles/E.Darby
SG-Walker/T.Darby/Wynn/Rennie
SF-Horston/Pissott
PF-Puckett/Marta
C-Key/Striplin/Saunders

The addition of Powell to me makes me think we are likely to press more so Wynn will definitely see a lot of minutes in the rotation.

If Jackson is added she is likely to play the 4 for us with Puckett likely backing her up. As we have witnessed this year with injuries, having depth is very important. We also know that Kellie will try to play everyone as long as they are contributing.

 

[NoBackBoard]

Lineup will look more like; Not including Rickea

Starters/Bench:
PG-Powell/Miles/E.Darby
SG-Walker/T.Darby/Wynn/Rennie
SF-Horston/Pissott
PF-Puckett/Marta
C-Key/Striplin/Saunders

The addition of Powell to me makes me think we are likely to press more so Wynn will definitely see a lot of minutes in the rotation.

If Jackson is added she is likely to play the 4 for us with Puckett likely backing her up. As we have witnessed this year with injuries, having depth is very important. We also know that Kellie will try to play everyone as long as they are contributing.

I’d prefer Walker come off the bench.

 

[glv98]

I’d prefer Walker come off the bench.

In favor of?

That said, I don't really see JW as a shooting guard either, but apparently that's what she was before coming here. I say let them all improve and decide it all by preseason practice. Some things might surprise us. I love JW and just want a good role for her.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I’d prefer Walker come off the bench.

I'm conflicted about it. She offers a lot as a starter, especially experience. But she is small for a two guard, and not as fast or quick as most opponents in the sec, and not a great shooter. I see her helping both the one and the two.

 

[NoBackBoard]

In favor of?

That said, I don't really see JW as a shooting guard either, but apparently that's what she was before coming here. I say let them all improve and decide it all by preseason practice. Some things might surprise us. I love JW and just want a good role for her.

I’d prefer Tess or Marta starting over her and just have Jordan play the 2.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

I’d prefer Tess or Marta starting over her and just have Jordan play the 2.

I’d prefer Walker come off the bench.

she might come off the bench but i don't really see it. i think she will get minutes but i don't know if she will start off as a starter. she could come in and change the whole complexion of the game. What we do know is she has gained jellies trust.

 

[SandyO]

I don’t mean this disrespectfully but is there any way Rennie could move on to a mid-major or D2? It certainly worked out great for Drew Pember from last years men’s team. Wouldn’t that open up a scholarship. I just don’t see her ever getting meaningful SEC minutes

 

[Amb3096]

I don’t mean this disrespectfully but is there any way Rennie could move on to a mid-major or D2? It certainly worked out great for Drew Pember from last years men’s team. Wouldn’t that open up a scholarship. I just don’t see her ever getting meaningful SEC minutes

What difference does it make? It's not like they have used up all of their schollies for next season and Rennie will be a rising senior.

Hopefully, Kellie isn't generous and open the door for a 5th year if she and Emily ask for it.