Walker NBL1’s Best: Hire

Photo: Adam Westerhout

Perth Wildcats legend Greg Hire has declared Devondrick Walker as the best men’s player in the NBL1 competition, and says he should be closely looked at by NBL teams.

Walker has gotten off to a scorching start this NBL1 West season, averaging 30.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Rockingham Flames.

The 30-year-old had a stint for the Brisbane Bullets last year, while he appeared in eight games for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in 2020.

Walker had signed with the Perth Wildcats ahead of the 2017/18 campaign, before a pre-season injury derailed his plans.

After establishing himself as one of NBL1’s premier players, Hire believes Walker deserves another NBL chance.

“I think so,” Hire told The NBL1 Show, when asked if he thinks Walker is the best NBL1 men’s player in the country.

“He is a genuine star. If I was an NBL team, I would be looking at a guy who would be extremely cheap. I think that’s a guy they should be looking at.

“He is getting double-teamed, triple-teamed at times, his assist numbers are going up, his points are going up, his efficiency has gone up, defensively he is more sound.

“It would be a hard case to argue that he is not the best NBL1 player, not just in the West, but across Australia.”

Walker and the Flames face the Lakeside Lightning tonight at 8:30pm AWST. Watch the game live and free on the NBL1 App and NBL1.com.au.