Ja'Kobe Walter

Walter is an American guard who entered the NBA as the 19th overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Toronto Raptors after a single season at Baylor. He missed the beginning of his rookie year with an AC joint sprain but recovered to earn rotation minutes, including multiple assignments with the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League.

Born on September 4, 2004, in McKinney, Texas, Walter grew up in a community where he has deep family roots. He attended McKinney High School and averaged 23.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game as a junior, leading the program to a state championship. He transferred to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, for his senior year and was selected to the 2023 McDonald—s All-American Game and the Nike Hoops Summit. He was a consensus five-star recruit in the 2023 class.

Walter committed to Baylor on June 22, 2022, over Texas, Auburn, and Alabama. He enrolled in June 2023 and made his debut against Auburn, scoring 28 points to set the Baylor freshman debut record. Over the season, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

The Toronto Raptors selected Walter with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, and he signed with the team on July 4. He missed training camp and the beginning of the regular season while recovering from an AC joint sprain. He was assigned to the Raptors 905 several times during his rookie campaign.

Walter made his NBA debut on November 1, 2024. On November 27, he earned his first career start and posted his first double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in a road win over the New Orleans Pelicans. On December 22, he scored a career-high 27 points against the Houston Rockets. On March 4, 2025, he hit a game-winning three-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining to defeat the Orlando Magic. In the 2026 playoffs, he posted a playoff career-high 24 points in an overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 1.

Walter is a score-oriented guard with deep shooting range and the size to defend multiple perimeter positions. At Baylor, he demonstrated the ability to score in volume as a freshman while contributing on the glass. His offensive package includes catch-and-shoot three-pointers, mid-range pull-ups, and clutch shot-making in late-game situations.

Walter is in the early stages of his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors. His rookie season showed flashes of scoring punch and defensive versatility, positioning him as a developmental guard in Toronto—s backcourt rotation.