Jarace Walker’s rise from a Pennsylvania high school standout to a key rotation piece for the Indiana Pacers has been nothing short of remarkable. At just 21 years old, Walker combines perimeter shooting, defensive versatility and a motor that coaches rave about. As he enters his third NBA season, fans and analysts alike are tracking his earnings, endorsements and on-court impact more closely than ever.
Jarace Walker’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jarace Isaiah Walker |
| Date of Birth | September 4, 2003 |
| Age | 21 |
| Education | Susquehannock High School; IMG Academy; University of Houston |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2023 |
| Net Worth | $27,566,102 |
| Salary/Career Earnings | See Career Earnings by Year table below |
| Marital Status | Single |
| @jarace | |
| @JaraceW |
Early Career
Jarace Walker’s basketball story begins in York County, Pennsylvania, where he first garnered attention as a freshman at Susquehannock High School. Born to Horace and Marcia Walker-both former athletes-Jarace grew up in a household that prized competition and hard work.
His mother excelled in high school track and field, while his father brought his own athletic pedigree, creating an environment where young Jarace learned the value of discipline and dedication from day one.
Walker showcased a blend of power forward strength and small forward agility, prompting interest from top high school programs. After one season in Pennsylvania, he transferred to the storied IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. There, Walker immersed himself in an elite training environment alongside future NBA talents.
In his senior season at IMG, he averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and four assists per game while earning selection to the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game. His performance in summer circuits, including leading Team Thrill on the Under Armour Next grassroots circuit, cemented his status as one of the nation’s premier recruits.
Walker was a consensus five-star prospect ranked among the top 12 players in the 2022 class by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN. He weighed scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn and Houston but ultimately committed to the Cougars, drawn by coach Kelvin Sampson’s reputation for developing NBA-ready forwards.
Professional Career
Walker’s official jump to the professional ranks. Selected eighth overall by the Washington Wizards, his rights were immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the seventh pick and two future second-round selections.
The move reunited Walker with a franchise keen on blending youth and veteran leadership under head coach Rick Carlisle. On July 1, 2023, he inked his four-year rookie scale contract, reportedly worth $27.57 million, including $27.57 million guaranteed and team options in Years 3 and 4.
Walker’s rookie season was carefully managed to balance developmental minutes in both the NBA and the G League. The Pacers, featuring established forwards Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin, utilized Walker primarily in mop-up duty while sending him regularly to the Indiana Mad Ants. There, in 19 games, he averaged an eye-popping 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals, shooting .473 from the floor and .380 from three.
His G League success translated into growing NBA opportunities down the stretch, where he appeared in 33 regular-season games, averaging 10.3 minutes, 3.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He shot 40.9 percent overall and knocked down 40.0 percent of his triples.
Walker’s highlight performances gave fans a glimpse of his promise. In a late-season stint against Denver, he scored 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, pulled down six rebounds, dished an assist and swiped a steal in 21 minutes.
That outing reflected his two-way potential: defending multiple positions, switching onto guards, contesting shots and spacing the floor as a 40-percent three-point shooter on increased volume (22-for-55).
Jarace Walker’s Net Worth Details
Walker’s net worth is estimated to be $27.57 million as of 2025.
Contract
Walker signed his first NBA contract with the Indiana Pacers in July 2023, inking a four-year rookie scale deal worth roughly $27.6 million in total. The agreement guarantees him $6.06 million in his rookie season (2023-24) and $6.36 million in Year 2 (2024-25), after which the Pacers hold team options for $6.67 million in 2025-26 and $8.48 million in 2026-27.
This structure not only rewards Walker’s early contributions with solid guaranteed money but also gives Indiana the flexibility to keep him under control through his fourth season or allow him to become a restricted free agent in 2027.
Salary
Walker’s base salary under the rookie scale is $6,362,520, up from $6,059,520 in his 2023-24 debut. Should the Pacers pick up their club options, he’s slated to earn $6,665,520 in 2025-26 and $8,478,542 in 2026-27.
These modest annual raises are built into the NBA’s rookie contract structure, aligning his pay with cap growth and reflecting Indiana’s commitment to his continued development.
Career Earnings
| Season | Cash Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2023-24 | $6,059,520 |
| 2024-25 | $6,362,520 |
| 2025-26 | $6,665,520 |
| 2026-27 | $8,478,542 |
| Total | $27,566,102 |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Indiana Pacers | 33 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 2024–25 | Indiana Pacers | 75 | 6.1 | 3.1 | 1.5 |
FAQs
1. Who is Jarace Walker?
Jarace Isaiah Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. Born September 4, 2003, in Baltimore, Maryland, he played one season at the University of Houston before declaring for the 2023 NBA draft. Walker operates primarily as a versatile forward capable of filling both small forward and power forward roles.
2. Where did Jarace Walker play high school basketball and how was he rated as a recruit?
Walker began at Susquehannock High School in Pennsylvania before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida for his final two seasons. As a senior, he averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and four assists per game. He earned consensus five-star status and ranked among the top ten prospects in the 2022 recruiting class.
3. Which college did Jarace Walker attend and how did he perform at the University of Houston?
Walker spent his lone collegiate season with the Houston Cougars, stepping into a starting role as a freshman. He demonstrated smooth shooting, solid rebounding, and switch-capable defense. His all-around contributions and upside earned him recognition as one of the nation’s premier first-year players before he declared for the 2023 NBA draft.
4. How did Jarace Walker enter the NBA?
The Washington Wizards selected Walker with the eighth overall pick and immediately traded his rights to the Indiana Pacers. The high selection reflected his potential and made him the highest-drafted University of Houston prospect since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984.
5. What positions does Jarace Walker play and what are his physical attributes?
Walker stands 6 ft 7 in tall and weighs 235 lb. He primarily fills small forward and power forward roles, leveraging his length and athleticism. His combination of size, strength, and shooting touch enables him to space the floor offensively, while his mobility and defensive instincts allow him to guard multiple positions.
6. What are Jarace Walker’s primary strengths on the court?
His primary strengths include reliable three-point shooting, midrange scoring, and the versatility to defend positions one through four. Walker brings energy and communication on defense, while offensively he can stretch defenses, attack closeouts, and contribute in transition and on the glass as a secondary rebounder.
7. What challenges has Walker faced in securing consistent playing time in the NBA?
Walker has struggled to earn steady minutes behind established frontcourt veterans like Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. As a result, he has oscillated between limited bench roles and G League assignments, which has hindered his ability to develop continuity and gain the trust required for a larger role.
8. How did Jarace Walker perform during his NBA G League assignments?
Assigned twice in the 2023–24 season to the Indiana Mad Ants, Walker excelled, averaging 22 points per game. His time in the G League allowed him to refine his midrange jumper, improve his attacking the rim, and build confidence-skills he has intermittently translated into more assertive contributions in NBA minutes.
9. What notable achievements has Jarace Walker earned early in his professional career?
Walker reached the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals as part of the Pacers’ playoff run. He also delivered efficient bench scoring with multiple double-digit performances, showcased defensive versatility in Summer League play, and established himself as a promising young role player.
10. What role does Jarace Walker currently serve for the Indiana Pacers?
Walker serves as a rotational frontcourt piece off the bench, typically logging 15–25 minutes per game. He provides floor spacing with his shooting, offers switchable defense, and steps up during injuries to primary bigs. He continues to develop consistency in hopes of earning a more prominent and stable role.
