Pray For her: Former Gamecock Sakima Walker Faces Another Career Setback / sportsearchers.com

A promising journey meets another difficult turning point

For Sakima Walker, the road toward establishing herself in professional women’s basketball has taken several unexpected turns. The 6-foot-6 center has experienced the highs of winning a national championship, the frustration of limited playing opportunities and the excitement of enjoying a career-best college season. Now, reports that the Southside Melbourne Flyers are preparing to part ways with her raise fresh questions about where her basketball journey will lead next.

Although Walker’s latest situation is disappointing, her career should not be defined by one difficult professional stint. Her journey demonstrates how challenging it can be for a talented player to translate college success into a lasting professional opportunity.

From Rutgers to a national championship at South Carolina

Walker began her college career at Rutgers, where she spent two seasons between 2020 and 2022. She appeared in 32 games, averaging approximately four points and 2.5 rebounds per contest.

Looking for a greater opportunity, she moved to Northwest Florida State College for the 2022–23 season. That decision proved significant. Walker helped the program win the NJCAA national championship and earned recognition as the NJCAA Division I Player of the Year, strengthening her reputation as an effective interior player.

Her performances opened the door to South Carolina, where she joined Dawn Staley’s nationally competitive program.

Walker spent two seasons with the Gamecocks, including the 2023–24 national championship-winning team. However, playing time was difficult to secure on a roster loaded with elite talent. During the 2024–25 season, she appeared in 15 games, averaged 1.4 points and played approximately five minutes per contest.

Despite her limited role, Walker provided experience and leadership behind the scenes. She contributed to a championship program and learned from one of college basketball’s most successful coaches. Those lessons would become important when she sought a larger role elsewhere.

California gave Walker the opportunity to showcase her abilities

In April 2025, Walker entered the transfer portal and committed to California for what became her final college season. The move offered something she had rarely experienced in Columbia: the opportunity to play regularly and become a central figure in her team’s plans.

The change proved successful. Walker started 36 games for the Golden Bears during the 2025–26 season and averaged approximately 12 points and seven rebounds per game, while establishing herself as one of the team’s leading contributors.

She also demonstrated her value late in the campaign, recording a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double against Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament before scoring 19 points against Syracuse. Her performances showed that she could produce when given consistent minutes and responsibility.

Walker credited her time at South Carolina with helping her develop the basketball intelligence and leadership qualities she carried to California. Her experience with Staley’s program had not been wasted; instead, it became part of the foundation for her best college season.

The WNBA opportunity that did not last

After finishing college, Walker pursued her professional ambitions by entering the 2026 WNBA Draft. She went undrafted but received an opportunity with the Minnesota Lynx, signing a training-camp contract on April 16, 2026.

Her time in Minnesota was brief. The Lynx waived Walker on April 29, alongside two other players, following appearances in two preseason games. She recorded four points, two rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 13 minutes against the Washington Mystics, but played only four minutes in her other appearance.

The move was another disappointment, but it did not end her professional ambitions. Opportunities outside the WNBA remained available, and the Australian league offered a chance to compete overseas.

Southside Melbourne’s decision raises new questions

On September 11, the Flyers announced Walker’s signing for the WNBL27 season, describing her as a 196-centimeter center who could bring size, athleticism and physicality to the frontcourt.

Head coach Sam Mackinnon expressed confidence in the signing, saying: “Sakima is a player who we believe Flyers fans are going to be incredibly excited to watch. She brings size, athleticism and a real physical presence, but what really stood out to us was her competitiveness and her desire to keep getting better.”

Walker was similarly enthusiastic about the opportunity, expressing excitement about competing for Melbourne and experiencing the club’s passionate basketball community.

However, the partnership appears to have encountered difficulties almost immediately. Through the Flyers’ first three games, Walker averaged eight points, six rebounds and 1.7 assists. Those numbers demonstrate that she was contributing, but reports indicate the club wants to make a change to its import rotation.

The Flyers are reportedly preparing to bring in Unique Thompson, who previously played for the Sydney Flames. The move is subject to the necessary arrangements surrounding Walker’s contract and Thompson’s visa approval. As of October 29, the reports describe a developing roster change rather than a fully detailed public explanation of why the club decided to move on.

What comes next for Sakima Walker?

Walker’s situation raises legitimate questions about her next step, but it would be premature to conclude that she cannot succeed professionally. Her strong final season at California demonstrated that she can be productive when her role and opportunities align with her abilities.

The challenge now is finding an environment that values her size, rebounding, interior defense and experience while giving her a clear role. A change of team could provide another opportunity to establish herself, whether in Australia or another professional league.

Walker has already shown that setbacks do not necessarily determine the next chapter of her career. She moved from limited minutes at South Carolina to a leading role at California, then secured a WNBA training-camp opportunity and an overseas contract.

The Flyers situation is undoubtedly another difficult moment. Yet her college record and previous improvement suggest that her professional story need not end here. Her next opportunity will depend on how the current contract situation is resolved and which team believes she can contribute to its plans.