Above the Rim: Auburn freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Simon Walker

AUBURN, Ala. – While college basketball rosters have gotten older in the transfer portal era, Auburn freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Simon Walker are bucking that trend.

Williams-Adams, a 6-8 forward from Houston, played at least 20 minutes in each of Auburn’s nonconference games, averaging 7.2 points per game while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. 

“Off the court, it’s gone smoothly,” Williams-Adams said of his transition from high school to Division-I. “On the court, I’m extremely grateful for everybody having my back, my coaches, my teammates and my family.”

Auburn’s preseason game against Oklahoma State Oct. 15 served as Williams-Adams’ welcome to big-time college hoops. After one rotation, he was gasping for air.

“I knew there were going to be some difficulties adjusting to the speed of college basketball,” Williams-Adams said. “I felt more exhausted than I’ve ever felt.  Skill-wise, I feel I’ve gotten a little bit better. I’m starting to learn the ins and outs of college basketball, some of the things you can get away with and things you can’t get away with.” 

Auburn’s robust nonconference schedule, with four top 10 opponents, prepared Williams-Adams for the Southeastern Conference. 

“It’s been good,” he said. “It’s exciting because every time you step out on the court you’re facing a top 25 team or a team picked to win their conference. It’s been a lot of fun. We’re going to keep battling throughout SEC play.”

SWA, (pronounced “sway”), as he’s known to teammates and coaches, embraces the grind. 

“At times the travel gets a little bit tiring,” he said. “It’s what you live for as a basketball player. You feel yourself getting better during and after the game. You can take those experiences and apply them to future opponents.”

Now comes the 18-game SEC gauntlet.

“Very excited,” Williams-Adams said. “I expect a lot of physicality. Similar to Arizona, when we go on the road, I expect a lot of hostile environments. I’m really excited to play in the SEC. Everybody says it’s the best conference in college basketball and I believe it. I can’t wait to see what that’s really about.”

Walker, a 6-5 sharpshooting guard from Huntsville, Alabama, began his college career with a bang. Five bangs actually, as in, “from way downtown, bang.”

“I know one thing, shooters shoot,” Walker said after his Auburn debut on Nov. 19, in which he made all five of his 3-point attempts, scoring 15 points in the final seven minutes of the Tigers’ 112-66 victory over Jackson State.

“I was super nervous going into it because I had only one day of live prep with the scout team before that game,” Walker said. “I was nervous before the game but once the ball was in play, there’s not really any time to be nervous. Got a couple good looks from my teammates and made some shots. 

“I stayed ready throughout that course and relied on my old habits and all the work I’ve done to get back to where I was.”

Making Walker’s opening night marksmanship even more impressive was the fact that it came less than two months after foot surgery. 

“Obviously not ideal timing,” Walker said. “Getting through that and rehabbing every day. There are great resources and great people here to get me through that. I’ve been leaning on that to get me back to where I was.”

Like Williams-Adams, Walker is soaking up his first season on the Plains.

“A dream come true as far as going to Vegas, playing in NBA arenas. It’s been super cool learning the nuts and bolts of how college works,” Walker said. “How professional it is, how you carry yourself day in and day out balancing being a student and an athlete. Time management has been something I’ve learned. I’m enjoying the process.”

Walker made 8 of his first 11 3-point attempts this season, a sizzling 72.7-percent clip. Elite outside shooting is only part of what he offers to the team. 

“Bring energy, on and off the court, on the bench, scout team, in practice, whatever the coaching staff wants me to do,” Walker said. “I’m looking forward to maximizing our potential, keep getting better each week and see where that gets us come conference play and come March.”

A partnership that could endear them to Auburn fans for seasons to come, Simon and SWA are making the most of their minutes as first-time Tigers.

“Try to get better every day and keep proving I belong,” Walker said. 

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer