James "MJ" Walker resembles another MJ at MaxPreps Holiday Classic

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — James Walker, Jr., the reigning MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year, is known around Jonesboro (Ga.) as "MJ."

But not for the reason most people think.

Yes, he's a high-flying 6-foot-6 wing, he wears No. 23 but "Michael Jordan" wasn't the mind of Walker's mom when she coined him with the nickname.

"She started calling me ‘J.J.' but she didn't want people confusing me for (J.J. Walker from TV show ‘Good Time,')," said Walker, whose middle name is Michael. 

Not a problem at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic. Though he has been ‘dy-no-mite.'

Walker backed up a 25-point performance Saturday in a win over Windward, with 26 points and eight rebounds during a 59-56 Open Division quarterfinal victory over Alemany on Monday night at Rancho Mirage .

In one sequence during the second quarter, he resembled the Bulls' "MJ," pivoting beautifully into an 18-foot jump shot from the corner.

Floating back down the other direction, he suddenly sprinted back the other way, stole an outlet pass and flew in from the right side for a classic tomahawk dunk.

Vintage MJ.

But Walker neither flailed a fist, broke into dance or offered any attention-getting celebration. That's just not his style or demeanor, Jonesboro coach Daniel Maehlman. The 17-year-old is strong, smart and classy in all regards.

Though Walker does sport a poster of the original M.J., he also has one each of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry.

"He's not just blue chip on the court, but he's blue chip in everything he does," the 16-year coach said. "From his character to the way he treats others. He's an unbelievable kid — the type of kid who doesn't come along very often."

His parents, Michael and Jacqualin, run a tight ship, according to Maehlman. "Unbelievable parents," he said. They are also former college players — dad at Norfolk State and mom at Hampton. His sister Amoni Walker, who overcame two ACL tears, plays at Miles College in Birmingham, Ala.

"She's been through a lot of adversity to get where she's at," Walker said.

Walker's path to national prominence has been nothing but smooth. He played three sports as youth, gave up baseball at 8 — "I moved around too much," he said. "I couldn't stop moving." — and football after his freshman season.

"He started on the varsity and got 20 to 30 offers from high majors," Maehlman said. "But he gave it up last year. I'm the AD and love our guys to play multiple sports. It was a family decision."

Blessed with a talented and seasoned junior and senior class his first two basketball seasons, he helped Jonesboro to two state titles.

With a powerful, quick first step, outstanding jump shot and 3-point shooting range, he's considered the No. 25 junior recruit in the country, by 247Sports. Wherever he goes — national camps, clinics, tournaments — he makes a mark.

"For him not to walk around and think he's the biggest man on the planet is impressive," Maehlman said. "You know who he is because his name is everywhere, but if you interview him, talk to him, he's not going to give any credit to himself."

Indeed, after Monday's win, which was spotty at best according to Maehlman, Walker talked simply about himself being a better leader, a better finisher and decision maker.

"The accolades are great, but they don't last long," he said. "You look at it, you appreciate it, but at the same time you just have to keep moving forward. You can't be satisfied."

He wasn't all that satisfied with Monday's performance, though he did what was needed down the stretch.

He made a beautiful spinning move off the break to swoop in for two. He drilled a fastbreak pull-up jumper. He took a charge, added an assist off the break, two rebounds and swished two free throws, all in the final 3:21.

"We found a way but we can do better," he said. "I can do better."