Former South Carolina women’s basketball player Sakima Walker has found her next basketball home, committing to the University of California for her final year of college eligibility. The 6-foot-6 center announced her decision via social media over the weekend, sharing her excitement about the move and gratitude for her journey so far.
“Trusting God’s plan EVERY step of the way,” Walker wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Grateful for where I’ve been, excited for where I’m going. #GoBears #thisonespersonal.”
Walker will join the Cal Golden Bears for the 2025–26 season, bringing veteran experience, size, and post presence to a program on the rise. Cal, which recently completed its first season in the ACC after joining the conference as part of a broader expansion, had one of its strongest years in over a decade. Under head coach Charmin Smith, the Golden Bears finished with 25 wins—their highest total since 2013—and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Walker’s transfer to Cal is notable for several reasons. After initially appearing to be in her final year of eligibility, Walker was granted an unexpected fifth season due to recent NCAA rule changes regarding junior college transfers. Her return to the court will now take place in one of college basketball’s premier conferences, where she has an opportunity to play a much larger role.
At South Carolina during the 2024–25 season, Walker played in 15 games, averaging 1.4 points in about five minutes per contest. Her most productive outing came in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, when she logged 6 points and 11 minutes in a win over No. 16 seed Tennessee Tech. Though her role with the Gamecocks was limited, she was part of a team that reached the national championship game before falling to UConn.
Before her stint at South Carolina, Walker played two seasons at Rutgers (2020–2022) and one year at Northwest Florida State College, a junior college powerhouse. It was at Northwest Florida State where she truly flourished—becoming the NJCAA Division I Player of the Year in 2023 and leading her team to a national championship. A four-star prospect out of high school in 2020, she was ranked No. 63 in her recruiting class.
Walker is the second Gamecock from the 2024–25 roster to transfer. Just last week, dynamic guard MiLaysia Fulwiley announced her commitment to LSU, one of South Carolina’s fiercest SEC rivals. These moves mark significant shifts as players seek greater opportunities and fresh starts with new programs.
At Cal, Walker is expected to see a significant increase in minutes and be a key piece in the post as the Golden Bears aim to build on their recent success. With her size, experience, and defensive instincts, she could become a pivotal contributor in their quest for another strong run in the ACC and beyond.