Jabari Dominic Walker Bio
Jabari Dominic Walker is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. He signed a two-way contract with Philadelphia in July 2025, which included assignment to the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. Walker was born on July 30, 2002, in Wichita, Kansas, and he was selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He played two seasons of college basketball at the University of Colorado before beginning his professional career. He is the son of former NBA player Samaki Walker.
Early Life and Background
Walker grew up in a basketball household as the son of Samaki Walker, who enjoyed a 10-year NBA career playing for teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Washington Wizards. His father’s professional career provided Walker with early exposure to the game and a strong foundation in basketball fundamentals. Growing up, Walker also developed a passion for boxing, which became one of his interests outside of basketball.
Walker attended Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles, California, for three years before transferring to AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, for his senior season. At AZ Compass Prep, Walker elevated his game significantly. He averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game during his senior year. In addition to his high school career, Walker competed for Dream Vision on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, which helped him develop against top-level competition.
Walker’s strong performances at AZ Compass Prep and with Dream Vision attracted attention from multiple college programs. He ultimately chose to continue his basketball career at the University of Colorado, selecting the Buffaloes over offers from California and Saint Mary’s.
Path to Basketball
Walker began his college career at the University of Colorado in the 2020-21 season. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, quickly establishing himself as a reliable contributor for the Buffaloes. On January 14, 2021, Walker recorded his first standout performance with 23 points and 11 rebounds in a commanding 89-60 victory over California. However, he later missed six games due to a foot injury during the season.
Walker returned to form in time for the NCAA Tournament. On March 20, 2021, he delivered a exceptional performance in the first round against Georgetown, scoring a freshman-season-high 24 points while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range in a 96-73 Colorado victory. As a freshman, Walker averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors for his efforts.
Walker took his game to another level during his sophomore season in 2021-22. He became one of the most dominant players in the Pac-12 Conference, averaging 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. On January 25, 2022, he tied his career high with 24 points in an 82-78 win over Oregon. His outstanding season culminated in First-team All-Pac-12 recognition. Walker declared for the 2022 NBA Draft on March 30, 2022, while maintaining his college eligibility, but he later signed with an agent and forgone his remaining eligibility.
Jabari Dominic Walker Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Walker was selected with the 57th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He joined the Blazers’ Summer League team and made his debut against the Detroit Pistons on July 3, 2022, recording eleven points and seven rebounds in an 81-78 loss. His Summer League performance demonstrated his ability to compete at the professional level. On July 13, 2022, Walker signed his rookie scale contract with the Trail Blazers, officially beginning his NBA career.
During his rookie season, Walker appeared in 56 games for the Trail Blazers while averaging 3.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. His first season served as a developmental period as he adjusted to the speed and physicality of NBA competition while learning from experienced players and coaches.
Portland Trail Blazers Breakthrough (2023–2025)
The 2023-24 NBA season marked Walker’s breakthrough with the Trail Blazers. He appeared in 72 games, including 23 starts, and set career highs across the board with averages of 8.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. His increased role reflected the trust the organization placed in his abilities and his continued development as a rotation player.
During the 2024-25 season, Walker’s time with the Trail Blazers was divided between the NBA team and their G League affiliate. On February 2, 2025, he was assigned to the Rip City Remix, the Trail Blazers’ G League team. He finished the season having appeared in 60 games with one start, averaging 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.
Philadelphia 76ers Era (2025–Present)
On July 5, 2025, Walker signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, joining both the NBA roster and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. This move represented a new chapter in his professional career as he joined a franchise with different organizational goals and development priorities.
During the 2025-26 season, Walker appeared in 64 games for the 76ers, making six starts. He averaged 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field. His consistent contributions off the bench provided the 76ers with frontcourt depth throughout the season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Walker’s career has included several memorable performances. His perfect 5-of-5 three-point shooting game against Georgetown in the 2021 NCAA Tournament showcased his perimeter shooting ability that has translated to the professional level. His career-high 24-point performances in college demonstrated his ability to take over games offensively when called upon. In the NBA, his progression from limited minutes as a rookie to a consistent rotation player with the Trail Blazers illustrated his steady development trajectory.
Jabari Dominic Walker Career Wins
Walker’s career includes notable achievements at both the college and professional levels. His collegiate career was highlighted by individual honors and standout tournament performances. In the NBA, his career has been marked by consistent improvement and increased responsibility with each season.
College Highlights
At Colorado, Walker earned Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors in 2021 and elevated his status to First-team All-Pac-12 as a sophomore in 2022. His performance against Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament, where he scored 24 points on perfect shooting from three-point range, stands as one of the standout performances of his collegiate career. He finished his two seasons at Colorado with career averages of 11.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game across 60 appearances.
Professional Achievements
In the NBA, Walker’s most productive season came in 2023-24 with the Trail Blazers, when he averaged 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds while appearing in 72 games. His ability to impact games on both ends of the floor and his reliable three-point shooting have been consistent elements throughout his professional career.
Jabari Dominic Walker Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Walker comes from a distinguished basketball family. His father, Samaki Walker, played 10 seasons in the NBA for teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and Washington Wizards. Samaki was a key contributor on the 2001-02 Lakers team that won the NBA Championship. This family legacy has profoundly shaped Jabari’s basketball development and career path.
Walker’s siblings have also pursued basketball careers. His brother, Dibaji Walker, plays for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. His sister, Sakima Walker, played college basketball at the University of California at Berkeley. The Walker family’s deep roots in basketball have created an environment of support and shared experience that has influenced each family member’s journey in the sport.
Personal Life
Beyond basketball, Walker has expressed interest in boxing, citing it as one of his hobbies outside of his professional career. Growing up as the son of an NBA veteran provided Walker with unique insights into the demands and expectations of professional basketball, which has influenced his approach to his career and development as a player.
2025 Season Performance
Walker began the 2025-26 season with the Philadelphia 76ers organization after signing a two-way contract in July 2025. The contract included assignment to the Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, allowing him to develop his game with additional playing time when not on the NBA roster. Walker appeared in 64 games for the 76ers during the season, earning six starts as he provided frontcourt depth for the franchise.
Throughout the season, Walker maintained his reputation as a reliable rebounder and efficient shooter, particularly from three-point range. His averages of 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game reflected his role as a solid rotation player capable of contributing when called upon. His professional approach and consistent effort made him a valued member of the 76ers’ frontcourt rotation.
Walker’s trajectory with the 76ers showed promise for continued development within the organization. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting, combined with his rebounding and defensive versatility, gave him value as a modern NBA power forward. As he gained more experience within the 76ers’ system, his role and responsibilities were expected to grow, positioning him as a potential long-term contributor for the franchise.