Ja’Kobe Walter’s stellar senior season at Link Academy came to a close in the best way possible.
In late March, The Team Trae Young alum was named the Missouri Player of the Year by Max Preps.
Ja'Kobe Walter is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Missouri High School Basketball Player of the Year 🏀
✍️: https://t.co/mbp5EtHOHQ pic.twitter.com/JUlVmqTWWW
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) March 22, 2023
Congratulations Son @JaKobeWalter1!
Ja'Kobe Walter named 2022-23 MaxPreps Missouri High School Basketball Player of the Year https://t.co/jYCPRgBfDE via @MaxPreps @LinkHoops @BaylorMBB @teamtraeyoungmb— EddienSabrinaWalter (@EddienSabrina) March 21, 2023
Then, after standing out at the McDonald’s All-American Game, Ja’Kobe reunited with his Link Academy teammates at the Geico Nationals, where Link defeated Paul IV High from Virginia (68-65), Sunrise Christian from Kansas (67-61) and Arizona Compass Prep (73-55) to be crowned National Champions.
Link lost just one game all season, to last year’s National Champion Montverde Academy, and the highly anticipated rematch between the two never came to pass as Montverde lost to Sunrise Christian.
During the three game National Championship tournament, Ja’Kobe was on fire. He scored half of his team’s points, pouring in 34 in the win over Paul IV High, and the scored a team-high 21 in the win over Compass Prep in the Final. He averaged 22.3 points per game while shooting 58 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from three.
ELITE competitor and winner.
Earned everything he got.
Playing for an opportunity to win a Natty today.
Baylor got a DOG on the way.
Platform Pioneer‼️ pic.twitter.com/hT3PEaeqNg
— Buff (@TheTB5Reports) March 30, 2023
2023 #GEICONationals 📝: We spoke with ‘23 @BaylorMBB signee Ja’Kobe Walter minutes after his 34-point explosion in today’s quarterfinal win. He discussed his motives, fighting adversity, Link’s mindset this week, and more (sound 🔊 on).@LinkHoops | @SCNext pic.twitter.com/hgv4B4UDbG
— Pro Insight (@_proinsight) March 30, 2023
Don’t leave Baylor commit Ja’Kobe Walter open @JaKobeWalter1 pic.twitter.com/PqdxBnhFol
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 1, 2023
Link Academy (MO) just captured their first ever GEICO National Championship taking down AZ Compass (AZ) 73-55.
Link was led by Baylor commit, JaKobe Walter, who had 21PTS, and Tyler McKinley, who had a breakout game with 17PTS.
Congrats to @LinkHoops. Major accomplishment. pic.twitter.com/yW8eTn3cL6
— 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) April 1, 2023
Say hello to the Player of the Game @JaKobeWalter1 and your NATIONAL CHAMPIONS @LinkHoops!!! Now 👑 them! 🏆 #earned #blessed pic.twitter.com/iKjvgCXcIE
— EddienSabrinaWalter (@EddienSabrina) April 1, 2023
Ja’Kobe then finished his high school showing by competing in the Nike Hoop Summit for Team USA vs. The World, playing eight minutes with two points and a rebound while also impressing defensively.
Game time 9pm central time on NBA TV. The last high school rodeo for this guy and a lot of his teammates. Let's elevate fellas!!! Senior season about to be over and out. Playing with the best of the best. USA 2023, GOOD LUCK!!! #USAvsWorld 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aLx0g1aYsG
— EddienSabrinaWalter (@EddienSabrina) April 9, 2023
Baylor commit Ja’Kobe Walter has stood out from a defensive standpoint in the first quarter. He’s picking up full-court and picked off an in bounds pass early on.
— Aaron Heisen (@aaron_heisen) April 7, 2023
Baylor Commit Ja’Kobe Walter with a drive and score from the right wing. Foul on Eric Dailey sends us to Media Timeout. USA leading 11-4
— LGHoops (@LGreenwellHoops) April 9, 2023
Some standouts for me personally today at the @nikehoopsummit for the USA team
🏀 Omaha Biliew
🏀 Jackson Shelstad
🏀 Jared McCain
🏀 Ja’Kobe Walter pic.twitter.com/OSoYZttnZE— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) April 6, 2023
Day 2 Standouts for Team USA at Nike Hoop Summit
Jakobe Walters
Isaiah Collier
Justin Edwards
Cody Williams
Eric Dailey Jr— Jordan Richard (@JordanRichardSC) April 6, 2023
BAH Notes: @nikehoopsummit Eye-Catchers for the USA Team 🇺🇸 practice #nikehoopsummit
Eric Dailey, Jr., Oklahoma State
Blake Buchanan, Virginia
Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
Ron Holland, Texas
Omaha Biliew, Iowa State pic.twitter.com/nSq6G3HOk8
— Reg Burke ΦΒΣ🤘🏾 (@BayAreaHoopsfl) April 7, 2023
Get to know 2023 @BaylorMBB-bound Ja’Kobe Walter, who suited up for Team USA this month at @nikehoopsummit.
🔗https://t.co/xwOxH3ysh5 pic.twitter.com/ELlmPCQfjN
— Pro Insight (@_proinsight) April 11, 2023
Up close look at Omaha Biliew, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Bronny James’ shooting off the catch. All three had a strong day of practice yesterday and the shot showed up throughout their drills. pic.twitter.com/bhCvk3Ut6b
— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) April 6, 2023