By: Ryan Thompson, Assistant AD for Communications
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The backcourt tandem of Ken Walker and Curtis Jackson helped the Davenport men's basketball team to a turnaround season in 2025-26. Davenport showed a nine-win improvement from last season in large part to the dynamic play from the pair of guards.
Walker earned First Team All-GLIAC in his first season with the program. He provided instant offense for the Panthers and finished with an average of 21.3 points per game. He cemented himself in the single-season record book at DU, with his points per game total ranking third. He also ranked fifth in total points (596), tied for fourth in three-pointers made (79), sixth in free throws made (131) and first in free throw percentage (90.3). Walker scored in double figures in 25 of the 27 games in which he played this season. He eclipsed 20 points in 10 games and 30 points in four games. His season high was a DU Student Center arena record with 38 against Purdue Northwest on Jan. 8. Walker was the second-leading scorer in conference games at 21.2 points per game. He was also second in 3-point field goal percentage (38.7), tied for first in 3-pointers made per game (3.2), and second in free throw percentage (87.8).
"Ken has been a handful for most every team we have faced this season," said head coach
Burt Paddock. "He made some huge game deciding shots early in the year that gave him a great deal of confidence going into conference play, and in turn our team's confidence swelled as well. Ken impressed me in many ways, but his ability to fit in with our team and their trust in him was immediate. Ken has been a model student and role model for our younger kids. We are blessed to have added him to the program!"
Jackson was named Second Team All-GLIAC and All-Defensive Team in his first season with the program. He was arguably the team's best player in the second half of the season and filled the stat sheet on a nightly basis. Jackson finished second on the team with 12.2 points and 30.6 minutes per game. In addition, he ranked third on the team with 5.5 rebounds and led the team with 149 assists and 53 steals. His assist total ranks fourth in a single season at Davenport and he also led the GLIAC in assists with six per game in conference contests. He was second in the GLIAC with two steals per game in conference action. Jackson scored in double figures 18 times this season and eclipsed 20 or more points five times, including four of his final five games of the season. He also had 10 or more assists in a game four times with a season-high 13 on Jan. 17 at Ferris State. Jackson also recorded the first triple-double in school history against Ferris State on Feb. 28 to propel DU into the GLIAC Tournament with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
"Curtis is the ultimate competitor," said Paddock. "He always wants the ball in his hands in meaningful situations and always wants to defend the other team's best player. Curtis has an edge that brought the best out in his teammates and allowed us to have a competitive season and get back into postseason play. It was pretty amazing to have our point guard obtain the first triple-double in school history, not to mention in a very important conference game!"
