Byron Walker
Our next inductee is the only MCC basketball player to be named both NJCAA All-American and NCAA Division I All-American. Byron Walker played point guard for Coach Tom Bennett’s teams in the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons.
Byron Walker was named to the All-ACCAC team in 1980 and 1981, was an NJCAA All-American in 1981 and an NCAA All-American with the University of Texas-El Paso in 1983. Byron still holds MCC school records for assists in one game with 25 and assists in a season with 177. The 25-assist-game was against Hawaii AAU in 1981.
“A great competitor and clutch performer. A real court General. Along with Fred Thompson, perhaps the greatest guard combo ever at MCC.” – Tom Bennett.
Byron’s 1981 team went 31-4 and was the first MCC basketball squad to win 30 games in one season. His 54 wins in two seasons ranks 2nd all-time at MCC. Byron was team captain and his 289 career assists were records in his time. A great passer, defender, and overall court leader, Byron Walker attended Julia Richmond High School in New York City prior to being recruited by Coach Bennett.
His play at Mesa helped him attract the Miners’ coaching staff. In two years at UTEP, Byron gained All-American recognition in 1983 after an honorable mention in 1982. He still ranks third in season assists average, third in career assists average, and second in career steals average. In the prominent Division I Sun Carnival Tournament in 1982, Byron was named MVP.
In his two years at MCC, Byron was second in rebounding and scoring.