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Meet Eric Walton

February 17, 2011 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Rochester RazorSharks News Release


He is a power forward. He looks and acts the part on the court. Off it, Eric Walton is just the opposite.

Walton was an original RazorShark, a refugee from the Niagara Falls Daredevils, who in 2005, became one of countless American Basketball Association teams to fold during the season. He had the good fortune to participle in a come from behind win over Rochester that season. Coach Rod Baker was impressed enough to sign him.

"He's gone from bringing athleticism to bringing experience," says Baker. "He still has tremendous strength, tremendous explosiveness. It just comes in shorter spurts."

That comes with being 31 years old. Walton moves like every muscle in his body hurts. He has learned to pace himself.

"You have to settle down," said Walton. "Your body has to adapt to certain situations. You can't let it overwhelm you. You have to take the time to relax, kind of wind down and go over what you did that day and put it in perspective."

In the three years between that first season has a RazorShark and his return last year, Walton played overseas. He has seen action in Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Taiwan. All while helping to raise two daughters in Florida. 12 year old Sydney and 9 year old Asanti.

"School is the priority in their life now," said Walton. "Daddy's just trying to make ends meet, supporting them in whatever they do. I talk to them on a daily basis. Its a blessing to be in the States instead of being far away overseas. That can be worrisome."

They joke about it in practice and Walton just smiles. With age sneaking up on him and the end of the basketball portion of life in sight, Walton has a vision of his future.

"Owning my own group home for the kids. I went to school for sociology and I always wanted to work with kids. The kids that are growing up now, it's really bad. They need more male role models. We need more female role models also."

Until then, he's enjoying his time in Rochester.

"This is my third year here," says Walton. "The fans are great, the people are great. It's kind of like a second home to me."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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