Lady Vols transfer guard Jordan Walker met with the media to discuss her offseason, the upcoming season, her decision to join the Lady Vols, her role on this year’s team, and her biggest adjustment in joining the SEC.
Here’s what Walker had to say courtesy of Tennessee Athletics Communication:
On going through the process of being a graduate transfer along with Keyen Green:
“It’s been an amazing experience thus far, especially with having Keyen here, because she’s able to relate with me when we’re going through things or when we’re on the sidelines; we’re able to talk about it. We can compare and contrast things that we’ve been through at other schools to here. It’s also just cool to have someone to lean on when we’re going through the same things.”
On the difference between playing in the MAC versus the SEC:
“I think that the biggest difference is going to be the size, speed and strength of guards. I will credit the Mid-American Conference, we did have some great teams and great players in that conference, but I just feel like the size, speed and strength is going to be one of the biggest things. I’ve seen that here in practice playing against some of the guards on our team, as well as down in the post with some of those post players. There are bigger post players changing and altering some things, but I think that it’s a great challenge, and I think it will help set me up for the next level.”
On the biggest adjustment in coming to Tennessee:
“The biggest adjustment was just switching from initially just playing that two spot to then going back to the one. I’ve played the one my entire life until I got to college, and then that’s when I started playing the two position. But I feel like with this team and the things that we do, it hasn’t been too challenging to make that adjustment. The coaches have helped me, pointed out things that I can do better, and they’re constantly pushing me to be the best player that I can be. So, I feel like going up against those bigger opponents, I’ll be ready for that.”
On being able to play after the uncertainty of the offseason:
“I’m extremely excited that we’re going to move forward and play this season. It’s been a long offseason being in quarantine. Just making that transition to being back on the court, that was one big piece of excitement, as well as now getting into the season and being able to see it and feel how close it is.”
On the biggest difference between playing point guard and shooting guard:
“I wouldn’t say there’s a ton of difference. I feel like it’s a little bit of a different mindset with the one and the two. With the one, you get your teammates going. With the two, most of the time you put your head down and score getting to the basket. I feel like, though, with my teammates that I have now, it’s been a super easy transition, because I have confidence in them that they can score and go make a play, but they also have confidence in me to score and go make a play. That’s been one of the things that has helped me make this transition.”
Go to the next page to hear from Lady Vols freshman Marta Suárez.
