Nov. 3, 2007
Saint Mary's College All-Century Team Top-25
Number 22
Ralph Walker (1974-76)
Click Here for Men's Basketball Centennial Home Page
Moraga, CA - The 2007-08 season will mark the 100th year in the history of men's basketball at Saint Mary's College. To recognize the 100 years of basketball, Saint Mary's will release the top-25 players of the last century. Saint Mary's will countdown players announce players 25 through 17 on the nine days counting down to the opening game of the year.
One of the most exciting players to ever wear a Saint Mary's uniform was Ralph Walker. He came by the nickname "Rocket" because of his spectacular leaping ability, possessing a vertical jump of 41 inches. A Chicago, IL native, Walker starred at Henderson County Community College in Texas and chose SMC over Missouri, Arkansas, Memphis and Hawaii, among others.
Walker ranks fourth in career scoring average at 18.4 points per game and in his senior season, averaged 20.4 points per game, which ranks third in single season scoring average at Saint Mary's. Throughout his career, the 6'3" guard/forward shot 49 percent from the floor. Walker was also a workhorse on the defensive end, pulling down an average of 7.4 boards per game, while typically drawing the duty of covering the opponent's best scorer.
The swingman was named Nor Cal player of the week in December of 1974 when he scored 63 points in three games vs. Wisconsin, DePaul and Marquette. His best one game scoring output was 31 points against Seattle Pacific University in 1975
Walker received the schools highest honor in 1997 when he was inducted into the College's Hall of Fame.
Players 16-1 will be released at each home game during the season, with No. 16 being announced at halftime of the game between SMC and Sonoma State on November 9. The best player in the history of the program will be named at the Gaels' final home game of the season on February 25 when SMC hosts San Diego at 7 p.m.
