University of North Carolina Athletics
Walker Reunites With Family In The Bahamas
July 26, 2016 | Women's Basketball
It was a homecoming of sorts for the sophomore standout that hooped in high school in Orlando, Florida. Her mom, Sharon, was born in Freeport, and currently lives there once again with her extended family of siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.
Destinee lived for three years in The Bahamas as a child, but had not been back to the island for nearly two years until her recent trip.
“It's such a beautiful place and to see family was amazing,” said Walker. “My family doesn't get to come see me play here (in Chapel Hill) being so far away. I'm really excited to go play in front of them again.”
The Tar Heels are taking part in the Junkanoo Jam, an annual tournament held right in Freeport, or as Destinee described it as, “just down the street from grandma.”
But it wasn't all fun in the sun for Walker, who was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team after averaging an impressive 13.7 points per game. She also began fine tuning her game for the upcoming season.
“Yes, I went to the beach, but I also spent a lot of time in the gym playing pickup with my mom and friends,” explained Walker.
Born in Cleveland, Mississippi, Walker is the daughter of two former Delta State basketball players. The game has been an influential part of Destinee's life going back to the age of 5 when she would hang around the gym while mom was either coaching or officiating a game.
FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
Walker is excited to be the “unofficial” tour guide when her teammates arrive in The Bahamas in November. Having spent a lot of time there she knows the hot spots and wants her friends to enjoy the scenery of the island.
“I hope they can check out the dolphin experience, but really want them to just relax and enjoy the beaches,” said Walker. “The beaches are great because they're so beautiful and no shark attacks. Maybe we can even go tubing!
“It's going to be a fun experience and I hope they get to see some of my family and friends. They're excited for us to visit.”
VETERAN STATUS
With seven true freshmen and sophomore transfer Paris Kea available after sitting out last season, the team will lean on a quartet of “veterans” that have seen court time with Carolina in the past. Walker qualifies as a veteran on this team after playing over 37 minutes a game as a freshman, the second highest figure in program history.
“Jason (Beaulieu, the programs strength coach) calls me and Steph (Watts) veterans and I'm ok with that. Yes, we are only sophomores but we played a lot last season and we have to show our new players what Carolina basketball is all about.”
The Tar Heels have gone through a series of workouts and practices this summer and the newcomers are gaining a new level of basketball education inside Carmichael Arena.
“The freshmen are really pushing through. I think they're doing really well in our practices and when we scrimmage and look forward to seeing what happens over in Scotland and Ireland,” said Walker.
The Tar Heels leave Thursday evening for a 12-day overseas excursion with Scotland.
