FOR YOU VANDY FANS, HERE IS A HEART-WRENCHING STORY ON A EMBATTLED VANDY JUNIOR

Vanderbilt Commodores' Andre Walker undecided on senior season

Injury, mom's death weigh on Walker

By Jeff Lockridge • THE TENNESSEAN • January 17, 2011

     Andre Walker could miss his eighth game in the past nine on Wednesday when Ole Miss visits, but Vanderbilt plans to get its starting junior forward back on the court eventually this season once his sprained ankle heals.

 

     As for next season, his status is much more in doubt. Walker has not committed to returning for his senior season, adding that he plans to talk the matter over with his family and Coach Kevin Stallings when this season is complete.

"I'm not sure," said Walker, who considered giving up basketball last offseason as well. "It probably (depends) on how we do this year, maybe our potential for next year … I'm not sure. There are just a lot of things I have to think about after the season."

Stallings said the door is still open to Walker returning next season, but he is aware that might be an unlikely scenario.

Walker is on track to get a bachelor's degree in human and organizational development this spring, having redshirted his second season (2008-09) at Vanderbilt after tearing his right ACL. Returning next year would entail enrolling in graduate school. He interned at a Chicago sports agency last summer.

The 6-foot-7 Chicago-area native said it has been different and difficult trying to enjoy basketball the same way he did before the death of his mom, Jane Walker, in January 2009 after her second lung transplant.

Walker switched his jersey number to 54 from 24 this season because 54 was his mom's age when she passed. That event continues to motivate him, but has also taken something away.

"It's like both," he said. "It's weird not having her around."

Walker started 31 of 32 games last season and has started all eight in which he has played this season. He is averaging 4.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Without him, Vanderbilt has gone to an eight-man rotation for SEC games.

Walker made the winning basket to beat Marquette, the lone game he's played between a bout with mononucleosis and his ankle injury during a Dec. 31 practice.

"It's been a little frustrating not being able to help my teammates," Walker said.

Reach Jeff Lockridge at 615-259-8023 or jlockridge@tennessean.com.