When Jabari Walker first stepped into an open run at Campbell Hall High School in North Hollywood, he looked like any other freshman trying to make a mark. He spotted up in the corner, waited for the ball, and when the pass finally came, he pulled the trigger — and missed. No big deal, right? Wrong. Not crashing the glass after that miss didn’t sit well with someone watching closely from the sidelines.

After the game wrapped up, Jabari got a tough-love lesson he never forgot. “Afterwards he’s like, ‘Okay, you don’t want to go crash and get the offensive rebound? Alright, we’re gonna run after this open run,’” Jabari recalled. Fast forward years later, that lesson came full circle. In a Summer League win over the Knicks, Jabari chased down an offensive rebound from the corner, fought through contact, and scored on a putback.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has also taken notice. “He’s so tough and so competitive. His teams usually do pretty well in the scrimmages because of his rebounding and his competitiveness,” Billups praised.

It’s that kind of edge that already feels like it’s written into Jabari’s DNA. And it leaves you wondering: Where does that foundation of tenacity come from? Who taught Jabari Walker to play with that kind of heart? Let’s take a peek.

How are Sakima Walker and Jabari Walker related to each other? 

Turns out, that foundation of toughness in Jabari Walker’s game runs deep — right through his own family.

Yes, Jabari Walker and Sakima Walker are siblings. Both grew up immersed in a basketball culture thanks to their father. 

While Jabari was making his way to the NBA, Sakima was building her own legacy on the women’s side. A 6-foot-5 force in the paint, Sakima carved out her name first at Africentric Early College in Columbus, Ohio, where she helped lead the Lady Nubians to back-to-back state championships. She would also earn honors like the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year and the 2020 Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year.

Her college journey started at Rutgers, where things didn’t go exactly as planned. But much like her brother, Sakima leaned on her roots and resilience. She transferred to South Carolina and became part of Dawn Staley’s powerhouse program, even contributing to the Gamecocks’ 2023-24 national championship run. And now, with one season of eligibility left, Sakima has found a new home at Cal, where she’ll finish out her college career.

They also have an older brother, Dibaji Walker, who’s carving his own path. Dibaji plays in the NBA G League for the Cleveland Charge. He’s shown flashes of promise, averaging 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. But he’s still undrafted. 

It’s no accident that all three Walkers show that same relentless energy whenever they step on the court. It’s the product of a family where basketball was almost a way of life. 

What does Jabari Walker do? Which team does he play for in the NBA? 

Right now, Jabari Walker is carving out his path as a professional basketball player with the Portland Trail Blazers in third season. But the road to get here wasn’t always glamorous.

He wasn’t the five-star recruit scouts usually chase. And when Colorado’s head coach Tad Boyle offered him a scholarship, it was almost a gamble. But Walker showed up. At Colorado, he averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in his first year, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman honors. By his sophomore year, he was averaging 11.5 points and 7.2 rebounds. 

Still, when draft night rolled around in 2022, Walker had to wait until the 57th overall pick before the Portland Trail Blazers called his name. It didn’t rattle him. He showed up to Summer League and immediately proved he belonged, putting up solid numbers and earning himself a rookie contract on July 13, 2022.

Who are the parents of Sakima and Jabari Walker? 

The journeys of Sakima and Jabari Walker are shaped by both, their talents and the strong influence of their parents. For Jabari, son of Jo Dudley and NBA champion Samaki Walker, basketball is more than a game—it’s a family legacy.

Jabari often reflects on how his father, Samaki, helped shape his understanding of what it means to be a pro. He was a hooper himself. 

“I was kind of taught how to be a pro before playing at the pro level, just playing off of superstars,” said Jabari. “It wasn’t the greatest to watch in high school or college, but it kind of complements at the highest level. It’s a role that not everybody knows how to play, and it’s a role that you can develop and earn more respect in. My dad kind of instilled that in me early.”

Samaki Walker, besides being an NBA player, also played overseas, Al Jalaa Sporting Club in Aleppo, Syria, during a time of rising unrest. In a social media post, he celebrated his family’s athleticism, saying, “I think it’s safe to say the genetics 🧬 are strong and basketball has been an incredible platform for me and mine 🫡🙌🏾💪🏾🙏🏾💎.”

On the other side, Sakima Walker’s success story has been equally shaped by her mother, Nakia Johnson. Though Nakia is a quieter figure in the public eye, her influence on Sakima’s life is undeniable. “My mom is my rock,” Sakima says. While details about Nakia’s professional background are largely kept out of the spotlight, it’s clear that she has been a constant support for Sakima. Her advocacy for Sakima’s mental health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic at Rutgers University, stands out as a testament. “I told them she was depressed because of COVID. I’d seen that took a toll on her, and I let them know,” Nakia said.

Both parents have been pivotal in Sakima and Jabari’s journeys.