DeVon Walker is grateful to be back on the court.
The redshirt junior is having a strong start to the 2015-16 season and is out to prove that suffering a torn ACL and sitting out all of last year was just a minor setback in his Florida career.
"When everything went down, you couldn’t see tomorrow," Walker said this preseason of his injury.
"But it feels great. I’m blessed to have this opportunity."
Walker, a Winter Haven native who has split time at guard and forward, saw his Gators career get off to a slow start, averaging just 0.8 points and 0.7 rebounds in his 2012-13 freshman season.
As a sophomore, he made his first career start and played in 35 games, but still averaged just 2.4 points.
Then, in the preseason of his junior year, he tore his ACL.
But now he’s back and is looking to be better than ever.
Walker has started at forward in Florida’s first two games this season and is shooting 58.3 percent from the field, including 15 points in Monday night’s win over North Carolina A&T, tied for the team-high.
Walker said the circumstances of coming back from his injury and now playing for a new coaching staff have given him a renewed energy this season.
"We’re all adjusting, me and the new guys and the coaches, as well," Walker said.
"I think we all identify with that one characteristic. I would say that’s pretty much the ground we stand on as far as being similar."
Walker’s teammates are also glad to see him back on the court and contributing on both ends of the floor in practice and games.
Redshirt senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who is in his fourth year of playing alongside Walker, expressed his excitement to have his teammate back and healthy after Florida’s win Monday night.
"It’s very satisfying," Finney-Smith said.
"He had a good practice to be honest the day before, I think he made six threes in a row. He can shoot, and I’m just happy he’s shooting with confidence and not worrying about anything. He’s playing free. I hope he can keep that mindset."
Coach Mike White knows what it takes to come back from an ACL injury.
He said he’s been around his fair share as a coach, and while he wasn’t yet around the program to see Walker work toward recovery, he is impressed with how well Walker has bounced back.
"I know how hard those guys have to come back. How much work, how much time it takes to come back from an ACL," White said.
"It’s impressive that (Walker) plays with that reckless abandon defensively, and he’s not out there playing with caution. He’s fearless, and he’s one of our better defenders."
Walker has shown no signs of weakness in his knee and has run the floor very effectively so far this season in what is an up-tempo, fast-paced scheme that White has installed.
The fourth-year junior is ready to make up for last year’s lost season.
"I feel really, really well. One hundred percent, no limitations," Walker said this preseason.
"Everything is full go. The journey has been probably what you’d imagine it being: hard, had its ups and downs. But fortunately and luckily with the grace of God, with my team and my training staff, everything’s been great for me."
Follow Alex Maminakis on Twitter @alexmaminakis
UF swingman DeVon Walker shoots a three-pointer during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.
