Thomas Walkup

Thomas Walkup's Biography

Thomas Ryan Walkup, born on December 30, 1992, marked his territory in the world of basketball as an acclaimed professional player who is hailed for his impressive defensive skills. Choosing an arena far from his American roots, Walkup took his talent to the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the EuroLeague, playing for Olympiacos. His prowess gained further international recognition as he also became a member of the Greek national team.

His journey to becoming a basketball giant began in the corridors of Deer Park High School. Born in Pasadena, Texas, Walkup honed his skills on the high school basketball team, earning all-district honors after contributing to the team’s impressive 24-11 season record as a junior. Despite facing considerable challenges and suffering severe injuries that included two Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries and a broken foot, his spirit remained unbroken. Walkup showed his mettle, averaging 25.9 points and 8.9 rebounds in his senior year. His hunger for victory and outstanding performance caught the attention of the world outside the walls of his high school.

Acting on this promise, Walkup decided in November 2010 to commit to Stephen F. Austin State University, an opportunity that he hoped would pave the way for him to compete in the NCAA Division I tournament. When the only other offer came from Houston Baptist, Walkup took it as a nudge to prove his worth in the field of basketball. Not perturbed by the initial lack of wide scholarship offers or negative comments on his abilities, he accepted the challenge head-on and decided to make his mark.

Indeed, he did! His freshman season as a Lumberjack, the mascot for Stephen F. Austin State University, not only saw him assuming the role of the team’s sixth man but also making a strong contribution with an average of 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game. This performance catalyzed the team’s journey to snatch their third Southland Conference title.

Walkup’s basketball evolution continued during his college years. His junior year saw him averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, convincing his teammates and opponents of his prowess. His exceptional performance earned him the title of Southland Conference Player of the Year in 2015, an honor he retained the following year.

Despite going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, his talent remained undeterred. Walkup was quick to seize opportunities as they came, participating in the 2016 NBA Summer League, signing with the Chicago Bulls, and finally, after being dismissed from the Bulls, joining the Windy City Bulls, marking the start of his professional career.

Global recognition was just around the corner for Walkup. After a stint with German Basketball Bundesliga’s MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, he signed with the Lithuanian Basketball League’s Žalgiris Kaunas. His defense performance earned him the LKL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2019. The league’s faith in him was later reinforced when they extended his contract until the summer of 2021.

In June 2021, Walkup made a significant leap in his career, signing a three-year contract with the Greek club Olympiacos, finally discovering his niche in the Greek basketball scene. His impact on the team led to a contract extension for three more years through 2027.

Walkup’s transition to Greek basketball became complete when he received Greek citizenship in 2023. This naturalization not only allowed him to fully immerse himself in Greece’s domestic basketball competitions, including the Greek Basket League, the Greek Basketball Cup, and the Greek Basketball Super Cup but also made him a valuable addition to the Greek national team in major international FIBA competitions.

Walkup’s career trajectory clearly shows that his reputation as one of the top defensive players in European basketball, culminating in him being named the EuroLeague Best Defender in 2024, is well-deserved. His undisputed talent, indomitable spirit, and an unparalleled passion for the game have seen him rise from the ranks of local high school play to standing among the celebrated names in the global basketball arena.

In his personal life, Walkup was born to Lisa and Raymond Walkup and has an older brother, Nathan, who also treaded the path of basketball. A unique aspect of Walkup’s public persona is his prolific beard which has often been a conversation starter and gained media attention during the 2016 NCAA Tournament. As he continues to carve out his path in the world of basketball, Thomas Walkup stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, and determination in the face of challenges.