Bearcats Owner To Play, Too
September 19, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Modesto Bearcats News Release
Modesto, CA. First Bret Farve, then Lance Armstrong, now T.J. Walker. ABA Modesto Bearcats' owner T.J. Walker is the latest of sport's greats to decide he still has something to offer his sport. At a freshly turned 33 years old, T.J. is returning to the court to play for his hometown Modesto Bearcats in the hopes of ushering the new team in with immediate success.
With Walker, however, it is clear his decision has nothing to do with extending a playing career for the sake of any personal glory or satisfaction. "I don't have anything to prove," Walker said following his announcement. "I have seven rings. This is about giving the city and the young people in the city something to latch on to that I never had when I was coming up."
Following his standout career at Modesto High School and a collegiate career that saw him receive two Conference Player of the Year and two First-Team All American awards, Walker played professional on the highest international stages over the course of the past decade. During that time, he was named to the All-League 1st Team once, the All-Star team 5 times and was able to collect seven championships in the process.
In returning to Modesto to coach the first pro basketball team in the city's history, Walker was content with playing only his role as coach of the team. The team was originally looking at bringing in a top-tier point guard from outside of the area to lead the team, but as the summer passed and he along with the Director of Basketball Operations, Walker Sr., looked at the situation from an ownership standpoint, the decision to put his point-guard hat back on became clear.
"As I was talking to the different businesses in the community generating a buzz about the team, the question kept coming up whether I was going to play or not," Walker added. "I was enjoying not having to ice every day and all that stuff that comes with getting in shape for a season, but after considering what my presence on the court would do as far as helping put people in the seats, and the team on the right track for success now and in the future, it was a no brainer."
So the search for an All-Star caliber point-guard is over. "I guess when you have one at your disposal that is willing to play for free, you have to jump on hi," Walker quipped with a grin. With this latest addition to the roster, Walker is confident the Bearcats are going to be more than capable of handling all challengers in the league. he is equally confident he will be handle to handle his numerous challenges, saying simply, "We are doing the right thing here."
For more information on this story or for general information regarding the Modesto Bearcats, email info@modestobearcats.com or call 209 872 0259 or visit www.modestobearcats.com or www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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American Basketball Association Stories from September 19, 2008
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