NBA DRAFT

June 22, 2023

Jarace Walker

Q. What was the whole uncertainty like with the pre-draft process and what's your reaction to the team you're joining now?

JARACE WALKER: You said "uncertainty"?

Q. Of where you were going to end up and trading and all that stuff?

JARACE WALKER: In terms of certainty, it's not really something I pay much mind to. I knew at the end of the day I had no control over it. My workouts, I was just going out there hooping, just working out. I didn't overthink it. I felt like it was just another workout to me. So I was just out there doing what I do.

Q. What do you feel you bring to the table for the Pacers as that team tries to grow?

JARACE WALKER: I would say a hard worker and a versatile defender and just a versatile all-around defender as well. There's a lot of things I can do on the basketball court. They'll see that when I get to the team, with practices and just more games under my belt once I start getting more comfortable.

Q. Your defense certainly popped off the tape in college. On offense, you have a lot of skills. Do you envision a certain role or succeeding in one particular skill on that end or are you going to wait and see what the coaching staff and where you fit with Indiana?

JARACE WALKER: Yeah, I've got no clue how they want to -- I mean, I have an idea, but I feel like that's just up to the coach, how he wants to use me, what spots he wants to put me in. He's a very smart coach. He'll be able to figure that out.

Q. I know that you spent a lot of time at the Jr. NBA. If your 2018 self could see you now, what do you think he would say?

JARACE WALKER: I don't think he would believe it, honestly. I honestly didn't expect myself to get to this point. Like, it's not something at a younger age I really thought about. Basketball is just what I like to do. So I just continue to work hard, just put in effort and then it kind of just came to fruition.

Q. One of the more notable teammates you'll be teaming up with is Tyrese Haliburton, one of the best playmakers. How exciting is it to play with a player like that and what's your familiarity with him overall?

JARACE WALKER: Yeah, super excited. High-level player, high-level passer, high-IQ guy, very unselfish. It's the perfect guy you want to play with. So I'm excited to get out there and just get a good connection with him.