By Gina Smith
Media outlets described Lincoln County High school alumnus Dantley Walker on the basketball court as “not afraid to shoot from anywhere”, “don’t want to get him hot”, and a “shooter with limitless range.”
This past week, Walker ended his formal basketball years as a college senior for Chaminade University. Leading up to this, he had dedicated his time and efforts to perfecting his skills as a player.
In his high school years, Walker became the all-time leading scorer in Nevada prep history with 3,304 career points and a career scoring average of 28.7 points per game, held state career records in assists (887) and 3-point shots made (475), and scored 73 points in a game, the single-game record in Nevada high school history.
He averaged 36.2 points and 10.3 assists per game, with a single-season record 1,123 points as a senior, earning Parade All-American High School First Team honors. During that time, he also went to summer basketball camps and played with a variety of athletes to learn and sharpen his skills. Dantley enjoyed his time in Hawaii and Chaminade University, saying that “it is a great place, great people, and I have grown many best friendships here.”
When asked what he is going to miss the most about his teammates, he said, “I will miss the everyday stuff. The practicing with the team, road trips with them, that is what I’ll miss the most. Of course we’ve had our ups and downs, but that is what makes us work so well together.”
Chaminade team members held basketball camps for kids as a way to serve the community and to give back, which was something else Walker loved to do. Head coach of Chaminade University Eric Bovaird spoke highly of the LCHS alumnus, noting that “I am going to miss having Dantley around everyday. It has been an absolute pleasure to have him on our team. I have not had one issue
with him, how he conducts himself on and off the court. Other team members look up to him because of this. He was one of our team captains this year, and has been a great leader.”
One particular game he was most valuable for this season was at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, when Chaminade took on California. Dantley stepped up and drained 7 of 10 3-point shots, totaling 23 points, and leading the team to win the game, and the tournament.
Bovaird commented on his work ethic. “Dantley comes in every day to practice and shows up with no complaints; he takes direction well and works hard. He has been a great representative for Lincoln County.”
What is next for Dantley Walker? He will graduate in May with a degree in history and is engaged to fellow Chaminade student Jordan Taboniar. He would love to coach someday, and be a historyteacher. He mentioned missing Lincoln County and remembers it with fondness as “like a big family.”
Looking ahead, the future looks bright.
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