Walter Rickett, mass communications senior and guard for the OCU men’s basketball team, is preparing for a career in athletics and business.
Originally from Dallas, Rickett joined the basketball team as a freshman and averages 5.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. He has a 57.1 percent field-goal percentage, according to an OCUSports press release.
Rickett was selected among 16 other athletes as a candidate in the Dark Horse Dunker voting polls. He received enough votes to advance to the second round but did not advance to the final round, losing by two percent. The winner of the voting contest wins the Dark Horse Dunker title and has the chance to compete in the State Farm College Slam Dunk Championship.
“I’ve been dunking the ball since I was a freshman in high school, so it would be nice to win the entire competition and showcase my talents on national television,” Rickett said on Feb. 23rd. “I’m not sure of all the perks of winning the State Farm contest yet, but I know for sure you get a State Farm Dunk Contest title belt and bragging rights.”
The best part about the basketball season is competing in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics Men’s National Basketball Championship, Rickett said.
“They treat us well while we are down at the event in Kansas,” he said. “I enjoy playing in a huge convention center in front of plenty of fans.”
Basketball commitments and school activities can be difficult to balance, Rickett said.
“It was challenging for me when I first entered college as an athlete, but I believe it has helped me grow in the classroom as a student,” he said. “Basketball helped me learn to manage and utilize my time more wisely.”
Rickett entered the school as a business major but switched to mass communications last year.
“Switching was a great transition for me, and I found myself even more interested in my work once I changed,” he said. “I’ve put together a great resume for myself, and I thank Career Services for helping me.”
Rickett said he plans to pursue professional basketball after graduation and enroll in graduate school.
“My ultimate career goal is to be recognized as one of the best businessmen in the world and own five or more businesses in the U.S.,” he said.
Samuel Williams, mass communications senior, said he thinks Rickett deserves to win because he’s a good athlete and a good person.
“He’s a good guy on the court and off the court,” Williams said on Feb. 23. “I think his personality will shine also when he gets a chance to be on TV and dunk and stuff like that.”
Rickett said he will miss the food most next year.
“I’m big on my food, and I’ll miss Mr. Willie’s cooking in the cafeteria,” he said. “I will also miss Alvin’s marketplace because they have the best snacks on campus. I wish I would have learned how to cook earlier in my career because it would have saved me a lot of dollars I spent at McDonald’s and Popeyes chicken.”
Rickett said he is ready to return to his home state.
“I enjoy Oklahoma, but I will forever be a Texan at heart,” he said. “Oklahoma weather is what I am ready to get away from.”
Rickett’s advice to underclassmen is to manage time effectively.
“Procrastinating as a student can affect your work, especially when you’re getting things done at the last minute,” he said. “Getting things in on time and setting time apart from other activities to focus on your work can benefit plenty in the classroom.”
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