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ATLANTA - Former NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace wasn't just there to cheer: when he visited Clark Atlanta University's basketball game Monday night, he also had plenty of encouragement for Panthers players. Wallace sat on the bench during Clark's win over Claflin, and was happy to play a small role, also helping the team out during their practice on Sunday.
"It was definitely fun," "The guys got a lot of good things done this week. They practiced hard [Sunday] even though it was more of a walk through. You saw the outcome [Monday]."
Wallace spent time with the Panthers because he knows their head coach well. Clark's Darrell Walker spent time as an assistant coach with the NBA's Detroit Pistons while Wallace played for the team, and the two still have a good relationship.
"You say stuff to guys over and over in practice, they're like, 'yeah, yeah, yeah, coach,'" said Walker. "When another guy comes in, an All-Star comes in, and says the same thing that I'm saying, it validates what I'm saying. Then he gives them one-on-one attention? It's great."
Wallace isn't surprised the coach he calls "D-Walk" is thriving with the Panthers, now 18-1 and undefeated in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. He says Walker just needs a shot, and he'll run with it.
"Right now he's having a shot, and he's being successful at it," said Wallace.