Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Weber Announces Freshman Guard Ryan Walker Will Redshirt
11/19/2002 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2002
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University men's basketball coach Bruce Weber announced Tuesday that freshman guard Ryan Walker will redshirt this season.
Walker, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Galesburg, Ill., was a victim of numbers in the Saluki backcourt, Weber said.
"We have too many perimeter players," Weber said. "I thought our other newcomers at the guard position, Bryan Turner and Tony Young, have played better."
Walker did not play in either of the Salukis' exhibition games this season.
"Ryan was disappointed, but I told him we wouldn't waste a redshirt year on him if we didn't think he was good enough to play in our program. He really shoots the ball well and has a strong body. Ryan just needs to improve his defense and quickness. A redshirt year will really benefit him in the long run."
Weber also said two walk-on players have been added to the roster, guard Leonard Hughes (6-4, 205, Jr.) and forward LeKeith Taylor (6-4, 200, Sr.). Although neither has played at the collegiate level, Hughes played at East St. Louis H.S. in Illinois, and Taylor played at Thornwood H.S. in Chicago.
