Howland native pursues dream to be an NBA referee

June 9, 2017 at 12:09a.m.

David Walker Jr. is two very large steps from the NBA.

This summer, the Howland native is the process of trying out to be an NBA referee. He describes it as something that was “placed in his lap” by an NBA scout.

“I was sitting down with him in one of these initial meetings and he asked me ‘how far are you trying to go with this referee thing?’” Walker said. “I told him I’ll go as far as God, skills and contacts will take me — in that order. As long as I can ride the fence between college and pro, I’ll do that. Whoever gives me a crack at success will determine if I go one way or another.”

It’s a four-part process that began in April and ends in July. It’s a three-camp system that starts with 100 candidates from around the nation. Right now, Walker is among approximately 20 candidates heading into the third camp, which will take place later this month. Should he get picked up. he’ll begin working NBA Development League games in the fall. Working the D-League puts him among the candidates for an NBA gig in a few years.

The 25-year-old refs 500 to 600 basketball games a year while he studies at God’s Bible School and College in Cincinnati.

Basketball is a family business. His father, David Sr., was a standout player at Howland and has also worked in coaching and scouting.

“His knowledge of the game really helped fueled my love for the game. I got into officiating based on a recommendation from a friend of my dad. He told me it was good side money,” Walker said. “I’m learning every time I’m getting out there on the floor. You meet phenomenal people while refereeing and I like that I can stay in touch with the game without as much physical wear and tear.”

Walker was working at a basketball camp in Auburn Hills, Mich. with a referee that was recently called up to the D-League. That ref put Walker in touch with former SEC official and current NBA scout J.B. Caldwell. Caldwell made a point to watch Walker’s games whenever he passed by Cincinnati. He watched Walker for about two seasons before helping him get an invite to the first round of officiating camps.

The NBA doesn’t look too closely at where its officials come from. Candidates can be from the high-school, college, semipro or overseas ranks. Walker has worked high school, AAU and college games. For college, he works at any level above junior college that isn’t Division I. Should he fall short of getting in the D-League, there are camps he can attend to pursue the D-I route.

To impress the league, knowledge of the game and its rules isn’t the only thing. There’s a certain look and presence an NBA official must project. They have to toe the line between an outsized personality that could pose a distraction and a robot that regurgitates the rulebook. Refs have to develop their own persona, which consists of the mechanics they use to call the game, operate the clock or interact with coaches and players.

“I’m still developing mine. The one thing I hear over and over from different camps or the other officials and coaches is they like my court presence,” Walker said. “They say it’s calm, but assertive. I really demonstrate that. When I’m on the court, I use my voice a lot.

“If there’s a call, I have to be emphatic,” he added.

Walker has to find the combination for him as he moves to the last camp. He has to get noticed in a profession where his philosophy is to be anonymous.

“When they can’t remember you, you did a good job,” Walker said.