As is her custom, UCLA assistant coach Tasha Brown greeted each player with a nickname as they got off the bus on Sunday. For one player, she humorously designated the title of “Charliss X-Ray Vision Leger Walker.”
“I want you to score, too,” Brown said to this player, who is usually known for his selfless play.
Leger Walker responded enthusiastically, showcasing an array of crafty moves during the No. 2 Bruins’ commanding 73-50 victory over USC at the Galen Center.
With 20 points, Leger Walker led all scorers, and her relatively recent role as a secondary facilitator next to Kiki Rice seems to be helping propel the Bruins toward their first NCAA Championship.
UCLA coach Cori Close noted, “We’ve worked hard to help Charlisse recognize not only her ability to engage teammates but also to play the right basketball and take assertive shots…I think she’s finding a good rhythm.”
Matching a season-high, Leger Walker’s scoring reflects the depth of a team that had four players hitting double figures against the Trojans.
“It’s because we have a lot of talented players,” she remarked.
Her contributions were especially crucial during the latter part of the third quarter. As USC threatened a comeback, Leger Walker responded with a jumper, then followed that up with a steal leading to a three-pointer.
This helped the Bruins reclaim a commanding 21-point lead, effectively sealing the game.
Leger Walker explained how she tries to balance facilitating with making the right choices. “Their defense is aggressive, which takes away some options,” she noted. “I think it’s just about stepping up into that role and making the shots set up for me while being assertive.”
Leger Walker, a graduate transfer from Washington State, missed the previous season due to a serious knee injury. During her rehab, she took the opportunity to learn the dynamics and tendencies of her new teammates.
“I focused on understanding team dynamics and how we’d approach different strategies,” she shared. “Being sidelined, I found myself almost in a coaching role.”
In her all-around game, she leads the team with 5.6 assists, along with 9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Coupled with sharpshooter Gianna Neepkens, the Bruins’ lineup is impressive.
Close refers to her as “The Connector,” a nickname she earned from her time in New Zealand.
“What she’s done to uplift those around her is remarkable,” Close praised. “She knows who needs the ball and how to facilitate both on and off the court, helping to unify the team.”
Leger Walker is well-liked by her teammates and has become their go-to player on tough days, which is probably a bit rare for a team currently on a 22-game winning streak and unbeaten in Big Ten regular season play.
Leading the Bruins, Leger Walker helped them outmaneuver their rivals for the third consecutive time, even as star center Lauren Betts faced a tough game, finishing with five points on just two successful shots out of ten attempts.
“Those who scout us know that every player on the court can contribute offensively,” Leger Walker pointed out. “It comes down to decision-making and understanding who has the hot hand and how to use Lauren effectively in the post. We’ll keep that focus as March approaches.”
Whether scoring or assisting, Leger Walker commands the trust of her team to make the right decisions.
