First Utah Jazz Draft Pick
By Greg Shepard Walt Palmer was the Utah Jazz #1 draft choice this year. After a holdout, the Jazz and Walt came to an agreement in Mid-Summer. The first thing the Jazz coaches require of all rookie hopefuls is to report to us for strength and conditioning workouts. Walt and 7-5 Alan Bannister from England and Arkansas State became training partners. Both Alan and Walt were eager to learn and took to our program like ducks take to water. Walt’s only experience had been two years of Nautilus training so the free weights came as welcome and surprising change. “There is no question that free weights are superior to machines for me,” says Walt.
“I look forward to my workouts now and take pride in my improvements.” Walt has always had a strong work ethic. At Dartmouth, he put in 1 1/2 hours per day during the off-season. That time would include everything from conditioning to basketball skill work. “You've got to put in the time and be dedicated in the off-season,” stated Walt. “I feel| worked harder in the off-season than anyone else in the Ivy-League.” rebounds for Dartmouth last season and blocked 85 shots. He was named First Team All-Ivy and did very well in the post season draft camps. Still, many were surprised at the Jazz drafting Walt number one.
However, the Jazz have a reputation of being extremely shrewd with their draft choices. For example, people were aghast when little known point guard John Stockton from Gonzaga was drafted number one. Also, many consider Karl Malone’s draft as one of the greatest coups in NBA history. It all worked to Walt’s advantage as he signed a two-year contract worth a reported $500,000 a year.
This is truly amazing when you consider Walt's beginnings in basketball. As a 6-1 8th grader, Walt got cut and immediately became interested in drama. He didn’t even try out as a 6-3 9th grader but channeled his energy into the high school play. An astute P.E. teacher told Walt to come out for basketball after the play was over. “If it hadn’t been for him my entire life would have been different,” surmised Walt. “I was a huge geek,” Walt remembered, “I had a bowl cut. I was into drama and school. I couldn't doa pullup. Athletics weren’t my identity. I stayed with basketball because of head basketball coach Dale Bethel. We developed a strong relationship away from basketball.
He made it a positive experience.” That was at Washington Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia. The high school had 1500 students (9-12). Walt played JV basketball as a 6-7 sophomore and then became a varsity starter as a 6-10 junior and a 6-11 senior. Walt averaged The Glute-Ham-Developer is one of the most important auxiliary exercises for Walt and the Jazz.
14 points and made First Team All-League in his junior year. Third Team All-State honors came his final year as When your 7-1, Parallel is a long way to go. Walt accepted the challenge.
Walt picked up the Power Clean technique very quickly. he averaged 17 points per game. in a private high school and coach basketball.
Walt’s parents were extremely supportive. “No players would train with a total conditioning program matter what I did my dad didn’t push. He never talked about basketball,” related Walt, “but I knew he cared make sure they had fun doing it,” philosophized Walt. because I always saw him taking stats.”
After teaching for a few years, Walt may consider Virginia and Maryland expressed full scholarship interest but Dartmouth.
I'd see to it they knew why they were doing it and politics. How does Senator Palmer sound?
On the subject of drugs and alcohol, Walt said, “I had such a strong family background that these never Walt’s father and grandfather had attended Dartmouth. “My father told me to go to the school of my choice and not to let money play a part in the decision making became part of my life. My parents don’t have it around and | also have a pressure on me. If you have a strong identity it helps. No one ever approached me in high school.” process,” Walt said respectfully. You see, Ivy League At Dartmouth, Walt never joined a fraternity which schools like Dartmouth don’t give athletic scholarships helped him stay away from negative things.
“I’ve never so the expensive $20,000 a year cost must be born by the felt comfortable being lumped in with a group or individual. stereotyped,” maintained Walt. “If you say no, you're in Dartmouth because he planned it since birth. I could control. have gotten a scholarship someplace else but Dartmouth drugs but I know they were there at Dartmouth. My was where I wanted to go.” friends and I just weren't involved.”
Walt’s high school GPA was 4.85 out of a 5 point I like being in control of myself. I never saw Tragically, Walt’s mother died of cancer in 1985 but system so he was well qualified for any Ivy League school. At Dartmouth, Walt maintained a 3.0 GPA while members. majoring in history. Now, if you are paying $20,000 a of Christ so the strength of spiritual things and family year to go to school, you don’t redshirt. Walt graduated are closely connected and remains ever important. in four years. He also worked construction in the His uncle is a minister of the United Church Walt wanted to make sure that high school players Summers to assist his father.
“I just gave my checks to know his inner feelings on big time sports. my dad,” explained Walt. “I know it really helped my concluded, “It is very very important not to get so overall perspective on life.” enamored with it that other things suffer. Experience a After the NBA, Walt would like to teach, preferably variety of positive activities and put your education first.”
From BFS Magazine — November/December 1990. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
