Walker Timme Q&A

Walker Timme, a senior at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, has improved as a prospect after a strong summer. Much like his older brother — Gonzaga standout big man Drew Timme — the younger Timme also displays some advanced footwork in the post and an improved ability to stretch the floor.

As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Timme talks about his family, his growing confidence, a perspective-changing moment in his life, food challenges, and his deep Cowboys fandom.

For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2021 prospect Walker Timme, from Richardson, Texas:

Pro Insight: Can you share a bit about your family, where you’re from, and your background prior to getting to where you are today?

Walker Timme: I started playing basketball when I was five. I fell in love with it. I’ve got my dad (Matt), my older brother Drew plays at Gonzaga, and I have a younger sister that plays a ton of sports, and my mom, too.

PI: Which sports does your younger sister play?

WT: What doesn’t she play? She plays softball, basketball, soccer, and she used to do gymnastics too.

PI: Have you played any other sports?

WT: In middle school I played baseball, football, soccer, and basketball. Once I got to high school, I stuck with basketball.

PI: What do your parents do?

WT: My dad is a sales manager for a healthcare company and my mom works in education. She trains superintendents around Texas.

PI: Other than Drew, did any other of your immediate or extended family members play sports at a high level?

WT: My grandpa was a quarterback in college. He played at Austin College. My mom played Tennis as Stephen F. Austin and my dad played basketball at SMU and then played overseas a little bit. He played in Italy and Finland.

PI: What roles have your parents played in your basketball development?

WT: They played the biggest role for sure. They’re my biggest supporters and have always pushed me. They’re also my biggest critics who tell me not what I want to hear, but what I need to hear to get better.

PI: What have you learned from watching Drew’s experience in high school and now in college?

WT: I learned how to play the game the right way. He’s always making the extra pass and is never about his numbers. He’s always about wins. [He also taught me] how to lead.

PI: What is the best advice you’ve received from Drew?

WT: Positioning, where to be on the court, and how to read the game better. We’re not the most athletic guys on the court, so how to use body and leverage and stuff like that.

PI: For those who don’t know about your game, could you describe it a little bit? What are your greatest strengths?

WT: I’m versatile. I can shoot the three, I can face up or go back to the basket. Dribble. Pass. Shoot. I feel like I can do it all.

PI: What do you think is the next stage of your development?

WT: I’m working to improve athletically. I’ve been working with a trainer through the pandemic. Still a long way to go, but I like what I’m seeing so far.

PI: Were you able to get in the gym at all during the pandemic shutdown?

WT: I was able to lift with Drew and work out with him with his connections.

PI: Do you model your game after anyone in particular?

WT: Marc Gasol. He sees the floor. He can not only score, but he’s a really good playmaker. And obviously, rebounding and how versatile he is.

PI: What are your expectations for this coming high school season?

WT: I want to win it all. I don’t want to lose. I want to make the playoffs and win the whole thing. The state championship is the goal for sure.

PI: What can you tell us about the game of your high school teammate, Liam McNeeley?

WT: He’s a great player. There’s nothing on the court that he can’t do. Great all-around player. Super versatile. High IQ, especially for a freshman. He doesn’t make any of those freshman mistakes. He’s going to be really good.

PI: Who is the toughest player you’ve had to guard? 

WT: Outside of a real game, probably Drew. In a high school game, Micah Peavy.

PI: Regardless of position, who do you think are some of the best players in the Dallas area?

WT: Harrison Ingram. Wade Taylor. CJ Nolan. There’s a lot of guys but those are the top-three that come to my head first.

PI: What made Micah Peavy hard to guard?

WT: He is super athletic and fast, but also really skilled. He plays super hard. He never gets tired, ever. He’s a great player.

PI: You have played very well this summer and made significant improvements to your game. What has clicked for you in the last few months?

WT: I just think I’ve always had the skillset to do it, but confidence-wise it’s really clicked. I’ve been able to get in the weight room and get stronger, which has really helped me. Playing against Drew, I was able to hold my own better, which gave me a ton of confidence for anyone I play against.

PI: What’s your all-time greatest memory on the court?

WT: My sophomore year, being able to play with Drew. Playing with your brother, not many people get to experience that. We were really good and went two rounds deep in the playoffs.

PI: Do you watch more college or NBA basketball? What are the biggest takeaways when you watch?

WT: NBA. Just how positionless it is and everyone can pass, dribble, and shoot. Everybody is super skilled and able to do everything. Everyone is good.

PI: Name four words that best describe you. 

WT: Hard-working. Leader. Fun guy. High Basketball IQ.

PI: What has been a defining moment or story in your life? Why has it stuck with you and what have you learned from it?

WT:  We had a playoff game and we were coming back from the middle of nowhere, Texas. It was 2 AM, and me, Drew, and a couple of teammates were driving back. We saw a house on fire. We were able to go and help the family out with that. We were all happy and celebrating winning a playoff game, but their house was on fire. It really put into perspective how little basketball matters when it comes to the world.

PI: What is your biggest passion outside of the game of basketball?

WT: Hanging out with friends. I’m the biggest sports homer, so I love watching the Cowboys. They make or break my week with how they play. It’s kinda hard right now, but I’ll still watch them.

PI: What are you listening to on Spotify or Apple Music these days?

WT: I’ll listen to anything but country music. I can’t stand it. Anything but that.

PI: If you were going to do anything other than basketball for a career, what would it be?

WT: Coaching or broadcasting. Anything to stay around the game because I love it so much.

PI: Tell us something about yourself that most people have no idea about.

WT: As a talent, I can eat insane amounts of food. Before I go off to college, I’m going to go to Amarillo and try this thing called the Big Texan. It’s a 72-ounce steak in an hour. I’ve always wanted to do that. 

PI: What kind of person and player is a college team getting in Walker Timme?

WT: They’re going to get a team guy first. I’ll do whatever the team needs. A hard worker. I’m going to push myself and my teammates to all get each other better.

PI: At the end of the day, what do you want to be remembered for?

WT: Basketball aside, a good person who will always do the right thing.

Watch the full interview with Walker, here