By: Kevin Moses
Walker Russell
Twitter: @walkerrussell0
Instagram: walker_russell00
Height: 6’2, 155
Class of 2026
School: Magoffin County High School
Russell is a high-energy gem who gives 110 percent on both ends of the floor with a high basketball IQ and a solid all-around shooter with a nice range. This stud can really shoot that rock but Walker is an unselfish player that is always looking for his teammates first. Walker excels with a natural ability to gobble up rebounds. Like a magnet, he is always around the ball. With a strong all-around game, Walker is also explosive scoring around that paint area while remaining deadly if you leave him open from three. The best part is Walker is an intense scrappy defender. Even his attention to detail and pure grit going after every loose ball. Walker is relentless and never takes one play off. Walker’s mindset on the court is to build up his team and not dwell on past plays but always look to the next one. The letters on the front of his shirt fuel the fire within him. Walker plays with pride and passion for the name he wears.
This past season, Walker averaged 9 points while shooting 50 percent from the field, 30 percent from three, and 70 percent from the line adding 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game on a loaded team that made a deep run to the state tournament semi-finals at Rupp. That was where I saw him shine against one of the best teams in the state. Started a little slow offensively but showed he is going to be special in the coming years. His energy was contagious and you could see the dog in him even on that big stage.
The most motivating thing for Walker was winning the 15th Region Championship because it showed him no matter how many times you get beat, if you keep working and pushing forward you can achieve your goals. And not just him but this entire team and their community that they can do the impossible against any odds if they only believe in themselves. What sets Walker apart is his energy and grit to match that shooting ability and rebounding. You can’t teach heart and this young gem has a ton of that. Walker is coachable and hungry to learn more to improve his game. With losing 4 of the 5 starters and bench players, Walker knows he has to become the new leader of this team understanding it’s a rebuilding year and there will be a lot of work to do. But it begins with him elevating his game and his role to become that leader to anchor this young squad. With hard work and dedication, Walker knows he can achieve anything. Not really locked in on a certain division level but developing into the best version of himself he can be while always committed to pushing himself to get better. A star in the making and in the end a name the state of KY will know well. Stay tuned.