Men's Basketball | 2/13/2026 10:27:00 AM

Get to Know: Rushaun Walker

Rushaun Walker's basketball journey didn't start the way most players' stories do. There was no lifelong obsession with the game or years of AAU circuits. For Walker, it began with one coach who saw something in him before he saw it in himself.

Walker was born in Jamaica and spent the first nine years of his life there before moving to Brooklyn in 2016. Adjusting to a new country, new schools, and a new environment wasn't easy, but it eventually led him to a path he didn't expect.

"I never really loved basketball before high school," Walker said. "When I met my coach, Baker, he took time to work with me, train with me, and really help me improve."

That guidance paid off. By his senior year at High School for Public Service, Walker had grown into a leader, earning the role of team captain. Soon after, he received a call from Kingsborough  assistant coach Marlon McRae, opening the door to continue his athletic career. Walker's transition to Kingsborough also came with a familiar face. He reunited with former high school teammate Jaden, something he admits he never expected. 

"It's actually been a really good experience," Walker said. "He's a great guard and he always knows how to find the bigs. Playing together again just makes things easier."

Like many college teams filled with players who were stars in high school, Kingsborough's men's basketball team faced early growing pains this season. Walker saw that firsthand.

"At the beginning of the season, everybody was kind of playing for themselves," Walker said. "There wasn't much communication or teamwork. But once we realized how we were struggling, we locked in. We started playing for each other, and that's when things changed."

Walker describes himself as someone who focuses on the details that don't always show up on the stat sheet.

"Even though I'm one of the bigger players, I see myself as someone who controls tempo," he said. "I'll dive on the floor, make hustle plays, rebound, play defense… whatever helps the team win."

When basketball season isn't taking up his time, Walker stays active in another way. He is also a member of Kingsborough's volleyball team, embracing the challenge of balancing two sports at the collegiate level.

"I like trying different sports," Walker said. "Volleyball has been fun and I've actually gotten better since I started playing. The coach has really helped me learn the game."

When he's not competing, Walker enjoys relaxing and binge-watching TV shows. He admits he can finish an entire series faster than most.

"I could binge-watch six seasons in like two weeks," Walker said with a laugh. "Right now, I'm really into The Rookie and Power." Walker says Kingsborough has already helped him build new connections while reconnecting with familiar faces from his past.

"It's a good campus," he said. "I've met a lot of people I went to school with or played against before, and now we're all here together."

While Walker may come off as quiet at first, he says there's more to him than people might initially see.

"I feel like I'm approachable, but I have to get comfortable with people first," Walker said. "Once you get to know me, I'm caring and supportive. If I care about something or someone, I'll do whatever I can to help."

For Walker, sports have become more than competition. They've become a way to grow, connect, and challenge himself. Whether it's diving on the floor during a basketball game or learning a new skill on the volleyball court, Walker continues to embrace every opportunity to improve.

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