Trojans Sign Walker in Early Signing Period

LITTLE ROCK – Head coach Joe Foley announced the signing of Antwainette Walker as part of 2018-19 recruiting class for Little Rock women's basketball on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Walker is a 5-11 guard from Wheaton, Illinois, and currently plays for head coach Melissa Taylor and assistant coach Greg Webb at St. Francis High School. According to ESPN, Walker is a three-star recruit and ranks 109th nationally at her position.
 
"Antwainette is a very good athlete," Foley said. "She can cause a lot of problems for a defense with her athleticism, speed and toughness. She's going to break opponents down and create a lot of opportunities for our team, and she'll be a defensive stopper for us as well. She has a high motor and is probably one of the better guards that we've recruited in a while."
 
Over the course of her high school career, Walker has averaged 17.3 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game and 3.7 steals per game. During her junior season, Walker scored over 1,000 points for St. Francis. Walker is a three-time DuPage All-Area Team member, a two-time All-State Honorable Mention, a three-time Lisle Holiday All-Tournament Team member and a two-time Willow Brook All-Tournament Team member. At the U.S. Junior Nationals Midwest Qualifier, Walker was named a Pool B All-Star. She was named a Pool Q All-Star and Pool A All-Star at the USJN Midwest Summer Final on two separate occasions. Walker was also named to the Pool I All-Star Team at the Windy City Classic.
 
"We are unbelievably proud and excited for Antwainette to continue her basketball aspirations with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock," St. Francis head coach Melissa Taylor said. "Being a senior leader, she is respected highly by all ladies in the program for her skill set and character. She puts true meaning to hard work pays off."
 
In addition to high school ball, Walker played AAU ball with the Illinois Rockets 17 Red Squad this past summer. There, she led the team with 13.2 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game and 1.7 steals per game.
 
"Antwainette was the heart and soul of our Illinois Rockets 17 Red squad this summer," Rockets head coach Drew Ondik said.  "Her tireless motor, endless drive and determination, defensive tenacity and commitment and her love for her teammates was evident every second of every game and practice.  Additionally, she is an even better person than she is a basketball player.  The Little Rock Trojans are getting an exceptional player and person in Antwainette Walker."
 
Walker is the third signee for Little Rock during the early signing period as Gabby Dodson and Heaven Mbaruk signed with the Trojans last Wednesday. Walker will be the first Trojan to hail from Illinois since the 2012-13 season.
 
Little Rock will face Tulsa in its second game of the season at the Jack Stephens Center on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.