By Josepj Staszewski
Andre Walker is hoping to follow in Jon Severe’s footsteps in a number of ways and there is no reason why he can’t.
The Christ the King senior guard believes he can push himself into the spotlight and into the gaze of more college coaches, much like his former teammate Severe did a year ago. Severe, now at Fordham University, emerged from the shadow of CK boys’ basketball guards like Omar Calhoun and Isaiah Lewis after his junior season to lead the Royals to a state Federation Class AA title and become the program’s first New York State Mr. Basketball. Walker’s goal is just to prove he is better than people think by helping the Royals repeat as Federation champions.
“Andre’s been overshadowed by the guys like Malik Harmon and Jon Severe, guys who really could score,” Royals center Adonis Delarosa said. “Andre didn’t have to score too much because we had these guys who could do it all.”
That doesn’t mean Walker can’t. He dropped in 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists to help Christ the King beat Bishop Loughlin for the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Class AA title last season. It’s that versatility that will set him apart.
“That’s what I’m doing, but different,” he said of a breakout-out star like Severe. “John did it by scoring. I’ll do it by defense, doing the little things, passing, playing the point guard role.”
Being at the point was something he didn’t get to do full-time last season with Harmon, now playing at St. Francis College (Pa.), as the team’s primary ball handler. Acting as the floor general makes Walker’s responsibilities different from Severe’s, a shooting guard who was asked to pour in points.
“People don’t even realize he was on the team last year,” Christ the King Coach Joe Arbitello said of Walker.
Walker again hasn’t been the most talked-about player on the Royals in the preseason. The honor belongs to super sophomore Rawle Alkins because of his strong post-season and highlight reel-worthy dunks.
Walker will try to change that not only by scoring, but by making others like Delarosa, Alkins and Travis Atson better around him. That’s how he will really shine. Arbitello, who calls him the engine, expects a humongous year from his point guard.
“He won’t score 30, but he could have a triple double every game,” the coach said.
If Walker does so, he will be hard to miss or ignore. He can be Christ the King’s next break-out player not by being John Severe. Being Andre Walker will be good enough.
