Jamall Walker is in his eighth season with the Fighting Illini after joining the program in April 2012, and his first as assistant to the head coach/defensive coordinator.

Walker served as interim coach during the 2017 NIT, leading the Orange and Blue to a quarterfinal appearance following victories over Valparaiso and Boise State.

"Jamall is a talented young coach who, without question, has a future as a college head coach," head coach Brad Underwood said. "I saw that first-hand with the outstanding job he did leading the Illini during the 2017 NIT. He will work alongside me when it comes to the many responsibilities, opportunities, and issues that come across a head coach's desk every single day. This partnership will allow him to gain more experience in running a program, with the ultimate goal that the professional development opportunity allows him to realize his dream of becoming a division one head­­ coach."

Walker came to Champaign from Ohio University, where he served on former UI coach John Groce's staff as an assistant for a total of three years, in 2009 and again from 2011-12. In between those stints, he spent one season as director of basketball operations for Sean Miller at Arizona in 2010.

A former point guard himself, Walker mentored one of the best in the nation in Ohio's D.J. Cooper, a two-time first-team All-MAC selection and 2012 MAC Tournament MVP.

Before arriving at Ohio, Walker spent one year as an assistant coach at Murray State in 2008, preceded by a one-year stint as an assistant at St. Louis in 2007.

Walker entered the Division I coaching ranks at Ball State, where he was an assistant and recruiting coordinator for two years from 2005-06. During his time in Muncie, Walker played a key role in recruiting Chicagoland guard Maurice Acker, the 2006 MAC Freshman of the Year.

Prior to Ball State, Walker spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla. While there he helped lead Redlands to a runner-up finish in the 2004 NJCAA DI tournament.

Walker's coaching career began as a varsity assistant at Alton (Ill.) high school during the 2000 season before serving in the same position at F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kan., from 2001-02.

Walker played point guard at Saint Louis for four years from 1996-99, helping lead the Billikens to the NCAA Tournament in 1998. He earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team recognition in 1996 and ranks seventh in St. Louis school history with 350 career assists.

Walker graduated from St. Louis in 2000 with a degree in secondary education. He has a daughter, JaShawn, and he and his wife, Rebekah, have two sons, Braylon and Andrew.