Coach Walz and staff continue their hard work on the recruiting circuit and they were rewarded with a commitment and signed LOI from 4 Star CG (combo guard) Zyanna Walker. The 5’9 Wichita, Kansas native is currently ranked 38th-overall in the class and is the 17th-best guard according to ESPNW Hoopgurlz.
It's 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 ✍️
Welcome to the Ville, Zyanna!#GoCards x #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/Om5yO54GPr
— Louisville WBB (@UofLWBB) November 10, 2021
Zyanna is definitely a pure shooter. She can score, and score efficiently at all three levels. Walker’s ability to shoot creates all kinds of problems for defenders. She is strong enough to finish in the paint and through contact. Walker’s ability to finish in the paint compliments her strong perimeter game. Deadly with the dribble pull-up, Walker can shoot it from anywhere on the court.
Walker does It big today! Signing with The university of Louisville women’s basketball. Way to go kid! Great day to be a falcon!❤️🏀 pic.twitter.com/vNNudMVGkC
— k.PALMER (@coach_palmer1) November 11, 2021
The way she is able to run off screens catch the ball, turn, and square up for her shot is incredible. Zyanna is a deadly catch-and-shoot player. Her ability to hit the open jumper forces defenders to aggressively close out to make her put the ball on the floor.
Her IQ and court awareness to find open spots on the floor is uncanny. Coach Walz has designed plays to get shooters like Becky Burke, Megan Dienes, Tia Gibbs, and Antonia Slaughter open. He’s also designed plays for his scorers like Shoni Schimmel, Asia Durr, and, most recently, Dana Evans to get wide open looks off ball. Walker will definitely join these lists as Coach Walz is surely to design plays for her to utilize her shooting and scoring abilities.
One of the underrated parts of Zyanna’s game is her ability to play off-ball defense. I mentioned Zyanna’s IQ on offense, but she is definitely a two-way player. She is routinely getting deflections or successfully jumping into passing lanes for steals. Of course, if you can shoot the way she can, most people would overlook your defensive prowess too. However, not the staff here at Louisville.
A guard that can shoot the three and get to the rim 👊@CoachJeffWalz on @zyanna_walker ⤵️#GoCards x #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/tzNefiPvAm
— Louisville WBB (@UofLWBB) November 10, 2021
Although Walker is listed as a 4 Star and is ranked 30th, (injuries definitely played a role in her ranking) with a strong senior year she has a chance to move back into the top 20 nationally. Coach Walz is definitely getting a 5 Star-caliber player. Zyanna is part of a very good 2022 class that includes: Nyla Harris (35) and Imani Lester (57).
