Sam Walker completed his 17th season as Texas A&M-Commerce men’s basketball head coach last season. He has been involved with the program for 25 years; over a quarter of A&M Commerce’s basketball history. Walker began his coaching career as a student assistant at Sam Houston State (1989-91) and Navarro Junior College (1987-88). The 1991 Sam Houston State graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and health and master’s degree in health and physical education from East Texas State in 1993.
Walker was the second-winningest active coach in the Lone Star Conference with 285 career victories and ranked fifth all-time in winning percentage among coaches with at least 50 career victories (58.5%). He recorded 13 of his 17 seasons above .500. During his tenure at TAMUC the Lions appeared in the LSC tournament fifteen times, won two conference championships and made three regional appearances. Walker’s overall LSC conference record is 119-110. He’s been on the staff for all six NCAA Tournament appearances in program history, three as head coach and three as an assistant coach.
42 of his players were awarded All-LSC selections, including 12 first team honorees. He’s coached two LSC Players of the Year (Jemart Miller 2004-05, Darrell Williams 2014-15), five LSC Newcomers of the Year, three LSC Freshman of the Year, a Daktronics First Team All-American (Darrell Williams 2014-15), and a Daktronics Third Team All-American (Scooby Johnson 2007-08).
During winter break, Walker routinely took his players to read and talk to the students of Commerce Elementary School and Commerce Middle School. The Lions also participated in activities at the Commerce Children’s Learning Center and annual Commerce Lions Club Carnival.
Earlier this month Coach Walker discussed his new position as Executive Director for Alumni Engagement and legacy at A&M-Commerce.
Prior to Tuesday’s first home game tip off, Coach Walker will be recognized at ‘Sam Walker Night’ for his 25 years of service.
Von Rosenberg Era Begins
Coach Walker has passed the torch to Jaret Von Rosenberg; only the fourth head coach in A&M-Commerce's Division II era. He enters his eighth season as a collegiate coach. Von Rosenberg comes from his alma mater, University of Hartford, as an assistant coach the last two seasons. Prior to Hartford, he served as an assistant at A&M-Commerce for two seasons. He helped the Lions to the 2014-15 conference championship and a top 10 national ranking. Von Rosenberg previously spent two years as an assistant at Abilene Christian.
In the past three seasons, the Lions had at least 17 wins each season, appeared twice in the NCAA Regional Quarterfinals and won conference in 2014-15. The Lions started off this season strong at 2-0 and picked to finish 7th in the LSC preseason poll.
Transfers
G Reggie Reid - 6’0” (Florida Gulf Coast)
F Trey Conrod - 6’6” (Ranger College)
F Joseph Williams-Powell - 6’7” (Coastal Carolina)
F Srdan Budimir - 6’5” (Howard College)
G Willie Rooks - 6’3” (Coastal Bend College)
Freshmen
F Stefan Bozickovic - 6’9” (Nicola Tesla High School)
G Desmond McNiel - 6’3” (Whitewright High School)
G Jordan Wilson - 6’3” (Sharyland Pioneer High School)
G Leo Lara - 6’3” (Santa Rosa High School)
Opponent
Oklahoma City (6-1), ranked 12th in NAIA Division I, is coming off their first loss of the season to Midwestern State, 85-56. OCU has two players averaging 20+ ppg this season. OCU, 21-11 last season, fell short in the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament championship last season to University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 93-90. The six-time national champions were also bounced from the NAIA tournament by No. 7 Dillard, 86-65.
Players to Watch
Dorian Armstrong #25 (TAMUC) - racked up LSC Defensive Player of the Week three times and averaged 6 ppg, 7.9 rebs and 1.5 blocks last season. Ended the year 3rd in the LSC in blocks and 6th in rebounding. In the 2 games played for the Lions this year, Armstrong is starting off the year strong averaging 14.5 ppg & 10.5 rebs.
Samuel Williams #23 (OCU) - transferred from Kentucky Wesleyan, he averaged 10.2 ppg and 3.3 rebs last season. The senior is off to a hot start averaging 19 ppg and 9 rebs. Williams is one of three players on OCU’s team averaging 19+ ppg this season.
Next Game
11/21 Texas A&M-Commerce vs Oklahoma City - 7p.m. at Field House
Listen
Lion Sports Network KETR 88.9 FM & streaming online at KETR.org