Colorado University Athletics
Dallas Walton Signs NLI To Join Colorado Basketball Team
April 13, 2016 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER ? Dallas Walton has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball and continue his education at the University of Colorado head coach Tad Boyle announced on Wednesday; the beginning of the NCAA's signing period.
A native of Arvada, Colo., Walton is wrapping up his senior year at Arvada West High School. Standing at 7-feet tall, Walton will help to fill an immediate need with the exit of All-Pac-12 Conference forward Josh Scott to graduation.
“We're extremely excited to add Dallas to the Colorado basketball family,” Boyle said. “We obviously need to add to our front line, and will continue to do so, but Dallas is a great first step.”
Walton brings in a defensive mindset, paramount to the Colorado program. He earned All-Jefferson County Conference first team honors as a senior averaging 16.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots for the Wildcats.
“Defense wins championships,” Walton said. “From the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos, and even in the NCAA's; defense is a big part of team success.”
He helped Arvada West to a 17-9 overall record and a spot in the “Sweet 16” of the Colorado Class 5A State Tournament. Walton's success on the court is even more impressive in that he continues to fully recover from two ACL tears in his left knee within 10 months of each other that forced him to miss his junior season.
“He has overcome so much adversity with his injuries,” Arvada West head coach Jeff Parriott said. “I don't think he's reached his full potential as a basketball player. He has all the intangibles. A great teammate, unselfish, sometimes to a fault; we loved his leadership ability. He does all the things that coaches loves, he's so coachable, soaks everything up that you teach to him and he does it with passion and energy...it was a blessing to have him in our program.”
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| Dallas Walton signs his National Letter of Intent on April 13 at a ceremony at Arvada West High School. Joined by his family, parents Matthew & Normena and sister Ella. Photos courtesy of the Walton family. |
Walton had 14 double-doubles in 26 games recording season highs of 24 points against George Washington and 18 rebounds against Smoky Hill. He shot 61 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free throw line earning honorable mention to the Class 5A All-State team.
Walton played club basketball for the Chauncey Billups Elite Basketball Academy from seventh grade through 10th grade.
“Dallas brings great size and length, and as he gains strength and trust back in his knee, I think he will be a great player at the University of Colorado,” Boyle said.
Walton is also a fantastic student. He currently holds a 3.97 GPA and has been accepted into Colorado's prominent Leeds School of Business.
“Leeds is no joke,” Walton said. “It's alongside the top business schools in the nation. CU is a world class academic institution, hands down a good place to be.”
His signing also allows the Buffaloes to continue a strong in-state presence on the hardwood. Walton followed the program as Scott and Xavier Talton finished off their distinguished careers and now will team with five other Buffaloes from Colorado including returning starters Wesley Gordon and Dominique Collier.
“The program has grown under Boyle significantly,” Walton said. “He's been doing great things for them. Watching Josh Scott, players like Alec Burks, and to see the success that Boyle is creating for them makes me confident that I can succeed in those same conditions, and the team can succeed as well.”
Walton is the third member of Colorado's 2016 signing class. Deleon Brown, a 6-4 guard from Grand Rapids, Mich., who currently attends Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, and Bryce Peters, a 6-4 guard from La Puente, Calif., signed in November.
“I've been a CU fan for a long time, growing up in Colorado,” Walton said. “My dad (Matthew) went to CU, his brothers went to CU. It was a place I could see myself going to early on. And then playing basketball, I knew I'd really like to go there. It ended up working out that way, and I'm glad I'm able to go there.”
