Rex Walters

Born in Omaha, Nebraska on March 12, 1970, Walters played high school basketball at Piedmont Hills High School in San Jose, California, but graduated from Independence High School in San Jose, California.{{cite web|title=Rex Walters|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltere01.html|work=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 26, 2011}} Walters is biracial; his mother is Japanese and his father is white.{{cite news|last=Hua|first=Vanessa|date=April 10, 2006|title=Asian American basketball leagues boost game skills and ethnic pride|page=A1|work=San Francisco Chronicle|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/10/MNGVGI6MV21.DTL&ao=all}} In an interview with Rick Quan, Rex Walters responded to the question of feeling that he was a pioneer for Asian Americans. He responded: "I consider myself Japanese-American. I just don't look it. People are always surprised. Now we got a guy like Jeremy Lin breaking barriers, I'd like to think I played a small part in that". He later added, "People ask me who I am? What I am? I am a Japanese-American, I take great pride in that."Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/o4b0nLia7c0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140320204928/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4b0nLia7c0 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4b0nLia7c0| title = Rex Walters | website=YouTube| date = May 5, 2011 }}{{cbignore}} Walters is known as a hard working, selfless person with a great passion to motivate and lead others. Walters daughter, Addison Walters is currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves staff serving as a Video Associate.{{Cite web|title=Minnesota Timberwolves Announce Coaching Staff Additions|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-announce-coaching-staff-additions|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Minnesota Timberwolves|language=en}}

(1988–1990) Walters played at Northwestern University (1988–1990) and was All Big 10 honorable mention leading the team in scoring.{{Cite web|title=1988–89 Northwestern Wildcats Roster and Stats|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/northwestern/1989.html|access-date=2021-11-23|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com|language=en}}

(1990–1993) In 1990, he transferred to Kansas, playing two seasons. In 68 starts under Roy Williams, he averaged 15.6 points per game, leading the Jayhawks in scoring during both his junior and senior campaigns. KU combined to go 56–12 overall in 1991–92 and 1992–93, winning back-to-back Big Eight titles and reaching the 1993 Final Four. Walters was named to the All-Big Eight team both seasons and was Big Eight Male Athlete of the Year as a senior in 1993. As a junior, Walters averaged 16.0 points per game as the Jayhawks went 27–5. In his senior season, KU had a record of 29–7, with Walters scoring at a clip of 15.3 points per game.

Walters was an outstanding scorer from all areas of the court at Kansas, shooting nearly 51% from the field, 42% from three-point range and 85% at the free throw line. The 6'4" shooting guard was selected by the New Jersey Nets with the 16th pick in the 1993 NBA draft.

Walters’ professional playing career spanned 10 seasons, including seven seasons in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets (1993–95), Philadelphia 76ers (1995–98) and Miami Heat (1998–2000). He also had stints with Baloncesto Leon (2000), the Kansas City Knights (2000–01; 2002–03) and CB Gran Canaria (2001–02).

The New Jersey Nets selected Walters with the 16th overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft. As a rookie, Walters led the team in field goal percentage (.522) and hit 14 of 28 three-point attempts. His role expanded in 1994–95 and his statistics improved in nearly every category.

In 1995–96, Walters was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers and started the last eight games of the season. He played in 59 games for Philadelphia in 1996–97, making 16 starts behind Allen Iverson and Jerry Stackhouse. He led the team in three-point shooting with a .385 mark while averaging 6.8 points a game. He played in 38 games in 1997–98, splitting the season between Philadelphia and Miami, which signed him after he was waived by the Sixers in January of ’98. He appeared in 33 games (13 starts) for the Heat in 1998–99 and averaged 3.1 points a game. After leaving the NBA, Walters played for León and Gran Canaria in Spain.{{cite news|title = Walters Added to Doherty's Staff: Former Kansas and NBA player joins men's basketball staff|publisher = CSTV Networks, Inc.|date = April 20, 2005|url = http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/042005aam.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050426204239/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/042005aam.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = April 26, 2005|access-date = April 21, 2008}} In addition to his playing career, Walters had a minor role in the 1994 film Blue Chips starring Nick Nolte and Shaquille O'Neal.

(2002–2003) Blue Valley NW High School, Assistant Coach, qualifying for the Kansas Class 6A State Tournament.

(2003–2005) Valparaiso University, Assistant Coach accomplishing much with head coach Homer Drew. The Crusaders were the Mid Continent Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions (2004) advancing to the 2004 NCAA tournament. Walters was ranked the 20th best assistant basketball coach in the country at the mid-major level by [https://www.hoopscooponline.com/ The Hoop Scoop online] in 2005.{{Cite web|last=TN|first=Streamline Technologies {{!}} Nashville|title=Former Valpo Assistant Named Head Coach at FAU|url=https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2005-06/5198/former-valpo-assistant-named-head-coach-at-fau/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=www.valpoathletics.com|language=en}}{{Citation|title=Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball|date=2021-08-14|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valparaiso_Beacons_men%27s_basketball&oldid=1038812164|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2021-11-23}}

(2006–2008) Florida Atlantic University, Head Coach.{{Cite web|title=Rex Walters – Men's Basketball Coach|url=https://usfdons.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/rex-walters/11|access-date=2021-11-23|website=University of San Francisco Athletics|language=en}}

(2008–2016) The University of San Francisco, Head Coach. April 15, 2008 Walters was hired{{cite news|last=Chu|first=Bryan|date=April 14, 2008|title=USF Hires Rex Walters|work=San Francisco Chronicle|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/14/SP3T1057BN.DTL|access-date=April 14, 2008}} to replace Eddie Sutton who was hired to replace Jesse Evans.{{Cite web|date=2008-02-26|title=Purdy: The confusing union of Eddie Sutton and USF|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/02/25/purdy-the-confusing-union-of-eddie-sutton-and-usf/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}

(2016–2017) On June 29, 2016, Walters was named the head coach of the Grand Rapids Drive.{{Cite web|url=http://woodtv.com/2016/06/29/grand-rapids-drive-gets-new-head-coach-gm/|title = Grand Rapids Drive gets new head coach, GM|date = June 29, 2016}} Two players were called up to the Detroit Pistons during his time, Jordan Crawford and Ray McCallum.

(2017–2018) On July 1, 2017, Walters was named an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wnem.com/story/35783141/pistons-hire-rex-walters-as-assistant-coach|title=Pistons hire Rex Walters as assistant coach}} Working for Stan Van Gundy the Detroit Pistons had a defensive rating of 10th in the NBA.{{Cite web|title=2017–18 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/2018.html|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en}}

(2018–2019) Walters was hired by Eric Musselman as Special Assistant to the head coach at Nevada. The Wolf Pack were pre-season #5 in the nation, Mountain West Conference Champions and a 7 seed in the 2018 NCAA tournament.

(2019–2020) Walters joined the Wake Forest basketball program in May 2019 as an Associate Head Coach under Danny Manning.

(2020–2021) On November 16, 2020, Walters was hired as assistant coach by the New Orleans Pelicans.{{cite web |title=Pelicans announce 2020–21 coaching staff |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-announce-2020-21-coaching-staff |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 17, 2020 |date=November 16, 2020}}

(2022–2024) On August 2, 2022, Walters was hired as an assistant coach by the Charlotte Hornets.{{Cite web |title=Charlotte Hornets Finalize Coaching Staff |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-finalize-coaching-staff |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nowrap|{{nbay|1993}}}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New Jersey

| 48 || 0 || 8.0 || .522 || .500 || .824 || .8 || 1.5 || .3 || .1 || 3.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1994}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New Jersey

| 80 || 30 || 17.9 || .439 || .362 || .769 || 1.2 || 1.5 || .5 || .2 || 6.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|1995}}

| style="text-align:left;"|New Jersey

| 11 || 0 || 7.9 || .364 || .250 || 1.000 || .6 || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || 3.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia

| 33 || 8 || 15.8 || .426 || .352 || .783 || 1.8 || 1.9 || .5 || .1 || 4.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1996}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia

| 59 || 16 || 17.6 || .455 || .385 || .790 || 1.8 || 1.9 || .5 || .1 || 6.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|1997}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia

| 19 || 0 || 6.7 || .379 || .214 || 1.000 || .5 || 1.1 || .3 || .0 || 2.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|Miami

| 19 || 0 || 5.7 || .542 || .375 || .818 || .8 || .7 || .2 || .1 || 2.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1998}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Miami

| 33 || 13 || 15.3 || .368 || .316 || .826 || 1.5 || 1.8 || .3 || .1 || 3.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1999}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Miami

| 33 || 0 || 11.8 || .418 || .250 || .750 || 1.1 || 2.0 || .2 || .0 || 2.8

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 335 || 67 || 13.7 || .441 || .361 || .809 || 1.2 || 1.7 || .4 || .1 || 4.6

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|1994

| style="text-align:left;"|New Jersey

| 1 || 0 || 1.0 || 1.000 || — || — || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 2.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|1999

| style="text-align:left;"|Miami

| 3 || 0 || 4.3 || .000 || .000 || — || .0 || 1.3 || .0 || .0 || .0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 4 || 0 || 3.5 || .250 || .000 || — || .0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .5

{{s-end}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Start

|type=coach

|conference=

|postseason=

|poll=no

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|

|name=Florida Atlantic Owls

|startyear=2006

|conference=Sun Belt Conference

|endyear=2008

|}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2006–07

| name = Florida Atlantic

| overall = 16–15

| conference = 10–8

| confstanding = 3rd (East)

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2007–08

| name = Florida Atlantic

| overall = 15–18

| conference = 8–10

| confstanding = 4th (East)

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Florida Atlantic

| overall = 31–33 ({{winning percentage|31|33}})

| confrecord = 18–18 ({{winning percentage|18|18}})

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|

|name=San Francisco Dons

|startyear=2008

|conference=West Coast Conference

|endyear=2016

|}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2008–09

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 11–19

| conference = 3–11

| confstanding = 7th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2009–10

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 12–18

| conference = 7–7

| confstanding = T–4th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2010–11

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 19–15

| conference = 10–4

| confstanding = 3rd

| postseason = CIT Quarterfinals

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2011–12

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 20–14

| conference = 8–8

| confstanding = 5th

| postseason = CBI first round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2012–13

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 14–15

| conference = 7–9

| confstanding = 5th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2013–14

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 21–12

| conference = 13–5

| confstanding = 2nd

| postseason = NIT first round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2014–15

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 14–18

| conference = 7–11

| confstanding = 6th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| season = 2015–16

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 15–15

| conference = 8–10

| confstanding = 5th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = San Francisco

| overall = 126–125 ({{winning percentage|126|125}})

| confrecord = 63–65 ({{winning percentage|63|65}})

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record End

|overall=157–158 ({{winning percentage|157|158}})

}}

{{reflist}}

{{Basketballstats |nba=777 |bbr=w/waltere01}}

• [http://www.usfdons.com/coaches.aspx?rc=306&path=mbball University of San Francisco biography]
• {{IMDb name|id=0910346|name=Rex Walters}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Walters, Rex}}

Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:American men's basketball coaches

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:American sportspeople of Japanese descent

Category:Basketball coaches from Nebraska

Category:Basketball players from Omaha, Nebraska

Category:Basketball players from San Jose, California

Category:CB Gran Canaria players

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Category:College men's basketball head coaches in the United States

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Category:Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball coaches

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Category:20th-century American sportsmen