2023 NBA Draft

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Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard Arrive in Indiana

The Indiana Pacers announced Saturday they acquired the draft rights to Jarace Walker, the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and two future second-round draft picks as part of a three-team trade also involving the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards. As part of the trade agreement, the Pacers sent the draft rights to Bilal Coulibaly, the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, to Washington. 

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Pacers Complete Three-Team Trade With Phoenix and Washington

Pacers first round picks Jarace Walker & Ben Sheppard, as well as head coach Rick Carlisle and general manager Chad Buchanan speak to the media following the 2023 NBA Draft.

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Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker And Ben Sheppard Introductory Press Conference (June 23, 2023)

Scouting the NBA Draft is a multi-year process and every prospect has their own unique journey to the league. Teams track a player's progress for years before ultimately picking them on draft night. There are so many unseen moments, games, and interactions along the way that play a part in a front office coming to the conclusion that "This is our guy."

The Pacers have been tracking Jarace Walker since he was a decorated high school recruit at IMG Academy and through his freshman season at the University of Houston. But it was his visit to Indiana weeks ago where he really formed a connection with the franchise, bonding with head coach Rick Carlisle over Italian food and jazz and then impressing in a pre-draft workout.

When Indiana scouts first noticed Ben Sheppard at the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, no one would have guessed that he would be an NBA draft pick. He was wrapping up a freshman season where he came off the bench and averaged 2.9 points per game. But with steady improvement over the next three years, Sheppard ultimately grew into a first round pick.

Their journeys couldn't be more different, but both Walker and Sheppard are now Pacers rookies. Indiana acquired Walker, who went eighth overall in last night's draft, in a trade to be finalized later. The Blue & Gold then selected Sheppard with the 26th overall pick, adding two more talented young pieces to an up-and-coming Indiana team.

They may have taken different paths to this point, but Walker and Sheppard share several qualities that are priorities for the Pacers: playmaking, defensive focus, and versatility, as well as high character.

"These were two guys we had targeted a long, long time ago," Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said at Walker and Sheppard's introductory press conference on Friday afternoon at the Ascension St. Vincent Center. "And to walk away with both of them last night felt like a huge, huge victory for us."

Walker's selection was likely confusing for Pacers fans that weren't following closely along on NBA Twitter on Thursday night. Indiana had the seventh overall pick and Walker seemed like a strong possibility for the Pacers when they went on the clock, but Indiana wound up selecting French guard Bilal Coulibaly.

Washington, picking next, then took Walker. But the Wizards were actually making the pick for the Pacers and Indiana had taken Coulibaly for the Wizards. A short while later, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced  that the two teams had agreed in principle to a trade to swap picks, with Indiana picking up future compensation in a deal to be finalized at a later date.

So while Walker briefly wore a Wizards hat, he was really a Pacer all along, which is exactly what he wanted.

It's hard to find a better fit for Walker than Indiana. The Pacers entered the offseason looking to make upgrades defensively, where they ranked 26th out of 30 teams last season in defensive rating, and to add talent at the power forward position, the one spot that they didn't have a true fit last year, often deploying undersized wings like Aaron Nesmith at the position.

Enter Walker, a physical specimen at 6-8, 240 pounds that Buchanan said Friday "looks like a linebacker" and was a valuable part of a top-five ranked defense as a true freshman at Houston.

"Jarace is a player we feel can guard multiple players, multiple positions," Buchanan said. "Very defensive-minded. As we got to know him in the pre-draft process, I think that's where he views himself, as a defender first, which is a great trait for what our team needs."

When Walker visited for an individual workout on June 7, the Pacers put his defense to the test, tasking him with guarding player development coach Jannero Pargo. Pargo is 43 now, but the 6-1 guard is an 11-year NBA veteran and still has plenty of game, creating quite the challenge for a bigger player like Walker to stick with him one-on-one.

Walker held his own with Pargo, in what Buchanan called "the sealer" in realizing that he was the right fit for the Pacers.

"I'm sure Jarace wanted to punch him by the end of the workout, but you saw his competitive juices come out," Buchanan said. "And I think at that point, we were like, 'This is our guy.'"

The night before that workout, Walker went out to dinner with Carlisle, assistant general manager Kelly Krauskopf, and Vice President of Basketball Operations Ted Wu. They took Walker to Iaria's, then Carlisle drove him back to the team facility to give him a tour. Walker said on Friday that they quickly developed a rapport, listening to jazz in the car as they drove around the city.

"Me and coach were kicking it for a little bit," Walker said. "So just the connection we kind of built in such a little time, I just felt like it was definitely the right city and the right place for me."

Walker is just 19 years old, but should fit right in with a talented young Pacers team that features 23-year-old All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and 21-year-old Bennedict Mathurin, a first-team All-Rookie selection last season. Walker could slot right in at power forward and provide a nice defensive compliment in the front court to center Myles Turner, one of the league's top rim protectors, while also adding different dimensions to what is already one of the NBA's best offenses.

Walker was the American Athletic Conference's Freshman of the Year last season, averaging 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on one of the best teams in the NCAA.

"I feel like we have a fast-paced team, get up and down the floor," Walker said. "High IQ guys, a lot of shot-makers. Obviously we've got great rim protectors in Myles (Turner) and Stix (Jalen Smith).

"I feel like we have a bunch of pieces. I feel like what I bring to the table is exactly what this team was missing. Just an extra defender, extra rebounder, extra shot creator. Just somebody that brings a little bit of everything to the table."

Walker isn't wasting any time getting ready for his rookie season. Carlisle revealed that Buchanan texted him Friday morning saying that Walker had asked if he could work out in the afternoon after his press conference.

"I think we can oblige you on that," Carlisle quipped.

Sheppard visited Indiana for his own pre-draft workout the day after Walker. He competed in a group workout that included decorated college guards like Kansas State's Markquis Nowell, UCLA's Tyger Campbell, and Kansas' Jalen Wilson.

Sheppard may have played in more obscurity at Belmont, but he developed into a true NBA prospect over the past three years. He took on a larger role each year, becoming a starter and averaging 10.5 points as a sophomore, taking on a primary scoring role and averaging 16.2 points as a junior, and then enjoying his best year as a senior, when he averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.

The 6-6 wing is an outstanding shooter who grew more efficient even as his role increased each season. He shot 27.9 percent from 3-point range as a freshman, 32.8 percent as a sophomore, 37.1 percent as a junior, and 41.5 percent as a senior.

The 21-year-old Sheppard is a versatile player who can play either wing position and even handled the point at times in college. The combination of his shooting prowess and his ability to guard multiple positions have had Pacers scouts "pounding the table on (Sheppard) for two years" according to Buchanan.

"He's kind of a little off the radar maybe to some people, but he's a player that's got better and better with each year at Belmont," Buchanan said. "A guy that just moves without the ball, knows how to play without the ball, is a high-level shooter."

Like Walker, Sheppard said he felt an instant connection during his pre-draft visit with the Pacers. When he got the call that he was headed to Indiana, it felt like it was meant to be.

"It's still surreal," Sheppard said. "It still hasn't really hit me yet. But throughout this whole process, I just tried to prove myself in any workout and whenever there was eyes on me. I knew in my workout with Indiana that this is an organization that I'd love to play for."

Culturally, Sheppard and Walker both seem like ideal fits in an already tight-knit Pacers locker room. Haliburton's energetic personality and overt love for the game have set the foundation there and Walker -- with his mention of "good vibes" -- and Sheppard -- with a million-watt grin that was voted "Best Smile" in his high school yearbook -- are seemingly solid additions.

"They just have an infectious spirit when they play," Carlisle said. "...(These are) the kind of players that we're adding to this organization. Guys that love the game, that play the game with a pure heart, with an infectious spirit, and that are versatile and just have fun playing the game of basketball."

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Walker, Sheppard Ideal Fits in Indiana, On the Court and Off

The Pacers introduced two of their newest players on Friday afternoon in a press conference at the Ascension St. Vincent Center, when Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard spoke to the Indianapolis media.

You can watch the press conference in the video player above.

Walker, a 19-year-old forward out of the University of Houston, was drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Sheppard, a 21-year-old guard, was taken with 26th overall.

Walker and Sheppard were joined for the press conference by Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan and head coach Rick Carlisle.

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Watch Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard's Introductory Press Conference

PACERS ALSO SELECT BEN SHEPPARD WITH&nbsp;THE&nbsp;26TH&nbsp;OVERALL PICK AND ISAIAH WONG WITH&nbsp;THE&nbsp;55TH&nbsp;OVERALL PICK; ACQUIRE DRAFT RIGHTS TO MOJAVE KING

 INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers agreed in principle to acquire the draft rights to forward Jarace (JARE-us) Walker, the 8th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, as part of a trade to be finalized later that involves the Washington Wizards.

While at the University of Houston, Walker was named the AAC Rookie of the Year and was voted to the All-AAC Second Team after averaging 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game on 47% shooting from the floor.&nbsp;

Additionally, the Pacers selected&nbsp;guard&nbsp;Ben Sheppard with the 26th&nbsp;overall pick and&nbsp;guard&nbsp;Isaiah Wong with the 55th&nbsp;overall pick.&nbsp;In a separate trade, the Indiana Pacers also acquired the draft rights to guard Mojave King, the 47th&nbsp;overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.&nbsp;

Sheppard completed his career at Belmont with back-to-back All-MVC First Team honors after averaging 18.8 points on 48% shooting from the field and 42% from three-point range during his senior season. Wong, the ACC Player of the Year, led the University of Miami in scoring at 16.2 points per game while leading the Hurricanes to their first ever Final Four appearance.&nbsp;&nbsp;King, a New Zealand native, played in 30 games with the G League Ignite and averaged 25.1 minutes per game, 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 41.3 percent from the floor.

Walker will wear #1 and Sheppard will wear #26 with the Pacers.

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Indiana Pacers Agree in Principle to Acquire Draft Rights to Jarace Walker

Jordan Morey

As it turned out, Jarace Walker’s first pre-draft workout was the most consequential.The University of Houston forward visited the Indiana Pacers on June 7 for an individual session to meet with the franchise ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. During his time in the Circle City, Walker impressed both on and off the court; propelling himself to the top of the organization’s list leading up to draft day.As the picks fell into place on Thursday night in New York City, the Pacers got the man they wanted by the time they were on the board. In a trade still to be finalized, Indiana agreed in principle to acquire Walker after swapping the seventh overall pick, Bilal Coulibaly of France, to the Washington Wizards for Walker at eighth.

“I was super excited,” Walker said. “Just to know where I’m going, just to take that deep breath. The butterflies let loose. I was definitely happy.”

This summer, the Pacers worked out 62 different players in Indianapolis leading up to the draft. From the start, a special connection formed between the 19-year-old from Baltimore and the Pacers staff.

“It was my first visit, but I feel like it was one of my better ones for sure,” Walker said. “Just being able to show them my versatility, what I could bring to them immediately, just having an immediate impact, ready to go from the jump. I definitely felt like it could be a good fit."&nbsp;

The American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and All-AAC Second Team member averaged 11.2 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting (34.7 percent 3-point range), 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Walker is the first Houston player to be selected in the top 10 since Hakeem Olajuwon went first overall in 1984.

In his lone season at Houston, Walker helped lead the Cougars to a 33-4 record which included an AAC regular season championship and helping UH to the Sweet 16.

Walker, 6-foot-8 and 248 pounds, showed advanced defensive skills and versatility during his time with the Cougars. Thanks to his physical attributes, which includes a 7-3 wingspan, Walker has the ability to play at both the power forward position or as center in a small-ball lineup, and switch onto guards as needed. He also has a 38-inch vertical, the second-best mark of any big man who took part in testing before the draft.

Already considered a high-level shotblocker, Walker will get to work with veteran center Myles Turner, who has the second-most blocks in Pacers franchise history and has led the league in swats twice.&nbsp;

Walker could make an immediate impact on the Pacers’ defense. On the defensive end, the Pacers ranked 29th in opponent points of second chances and were 26th in defensive rating, according to NBA.com.

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Jarace Walker Media Availability (June 22, 2023) | Indiana Pacers

On offense, Walker has been praised for his playmaking ability – especially in transition – offensive rebounding and midrange game. He will benefit from the playmaking ability – including in the pick and roll – with All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.“I feel like I definitely fit in with the group, just being able to defend multiple positions, keep the ball in front of me, protect the rim, play passing lanes, get steals,” Walker said.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Walker has the chance to be a “special” player at the four with the skills he’s bringing to Indiana.“He’s a guy that’s almost impossible not to like when you watch him play," Carlisle said. "His defense is very very good, his rebounding is very good; those are areas where we need to improve. He played in a great system at the University of Houston for Kelvin Sampson … whose teams are always known for hard, unselfish play.”

During pre-draft interviews, Walker said he felt like he wanted to continue improving on his outside shot, and felt like he would fit in “perfect” with the Pacers thanks to his size and playing style.

“In a league where defensive versatility (and) the ability to switch and contain is so important, we believe he can do that,” Carlisle said. “And then offensively, there’s a chance here that he could really evolve into a special kind of four man in this league. A guy that can rebound it and take it coast to coast and make plays and finish at the rim and do all that stuff."

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Rick Carlisle Media Availability (June 22, 2023) | Indiana Pacers

With the 26th overall pick, the Pacers selected wing Ben Sheppard from Belmont University.In his senior season, Sheppard, 21, averaged 18.8 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting (41.5 percent 3-point), 5.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Sheppard was First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference as a senior and First Team All-Mountain Valley Conference in his junior season.

The Atlanta&nbsp;native is listed at 6-6 and 190 pounds, is a highly efficient shooter from both close and long range, and was a three-year starter at Belmont and a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award in 2023 which is given to the most outstanding mid-major college basketball player. He is only the third player from Belmont ever drafted to the NBA.

Since the end of his final collegiate season, Sheppard boosted his stock with a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine. In the first game of the draft combine, Sheppard led all scorers with 25 points (8-for-10 shooting) in his final scrimmage in Chicago.

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Ben Sheppard One-on-One Interview (June 8, 2023)

Sheppard came to Indianapolis on June 8 and worked out for the Pacers, and Carlisle said that during his workout the prospect “showed out” on both ends of the floor.

“He’s a unique prospect in that he has length, he has quickness, he has really good ball skills,” Carlisle said. “It appears to me that he could play some point guard in a pinch, but his natural position is two and three. But that kind of versatility is very important in today’s game.”

Carlisle has high hopes for both first round picks.&nbsp;

"These are the kind of guys we want to build this roster and this organization with, so we're really thrilled with the first round,” he said.

Indiana finished 11th in the Eastern Conference last season with a record of 35-47, missing the postseason for a second straight season. The Pacers last made the Play-In Tournament in 2021 and haven’t earned a playoffs berth since finishing fourth in the East 2020.

Concluding the night’s picks for Indiana, the Pacers selected University of Miami guard Isaiah Wong with the 55th overall pick.

After earning Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors, the fourth-year junior made headlines in March by helping lead the Hurricanes to the program’s first Final Four.

In his final season at Miami, Wong played in 37 total games and averaged 16.2 points on 44.5 percent shooting (38.4 percent 3-point), 83 percent from the free throw line, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game. The high-scoring guard with a motor worked out for the Pacers on May 31.

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Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Isaiah Wong One-on-One Interview (May 31, 2023)

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Pacers Add Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard in 2023 NBA Draft

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle speaks with media following the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Pacers draft coverage is presented by NerdWallet.