FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Life was fun and games for Luke Walton during his brief stays on the UA bench last season. His role has changed as part of the L.A. Lakers, meaning more time on the pine and less time on the floor.

Former UA standout adjusts to NBA life

Shaquille O'Neal. Kobe Bryant. Luke Walton.

One of those names is misplaced ÷ for now, that is.

An NBA rookie with an enormous reputation to uphold, Walton is attempting to duplicate his own collegiate success as well as that of his father, the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1979.

During his five years in Tucson, the younger Walton led the Wildcats to three NCAA Tournament Sweet-16 appearances as well as to the 2001 National Championship game.

This summer, he was selected in the second round of the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, winners of nine NBA titles since moving from Minneapolis in 1960.

Walton was a national star in college, as he played the role of Mr. Everything at Arizona from 1999-2003. In his senior year, he was second on the team in assists and 3-point percentage, third in rebounding, and fourth in points and steals ÷ the only Wildcat in the top four of all five categories.

At the UA, Walton was arguably the team's most valuable player.

But as a Laker, Walton seems destined to cheer on the likes of Kobe and Shaq from a courtside view ÷ at least for the time being.

Though he scored five points in seven minutes in the Lakers' regular season opener against Dallas, Walton didn't get an opportunity to play in Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns at America West Arena. He went scoreless in four minutes of garbage time the following night against Golden State.

Regardless, Walton said he doesn't mind playing the role of benchwarmer for now, especially since he will reap the benefits of the tutelage of newly acquired veterans such as Karl Malone and Gary Payton.

"I don't mind the sacrifice," he said. "Hopefully, it'll help me (later) in my career."

Though Luke's father, Bill, played for the archrival Boston Celtics from 1985-87, Luke said his dad has no qualms with his son playing for the Lakers.

"He loves it. He loves the Lakers. He loves the organization. He's a big fan of the coaches and the staff here," Luke said.

Another man happy to see Luke in the NBA is Suns guard Casey Jacobsen ÷ his youth teammate-turned Pacific 10 Conference and NBA Western Conference foe.

Jacobsen and Walton were teammates in the Amateur Athletic Union, a non-profit organization that sponsors leagues across the country in several sports, including men's basketball.

As members of the AAU's American Roundball Corporation Vikings, the pair dominated the court, both making ARC's national All-Star team before they went their separate ways in the Pac-10.

Jacobsen, who left Stanford in 2002 following his junior season, said he enjoyed playing on the same court with Walton, as both a teammate and an opponent.

"I've always had a lot of respect for Luke," he said.

Though Walton didn't get to compete against Jacobsen Saturday night, the pair played against each other twice in the preseason.

Jacobsen said the environment of an NBA game is a drastic change from that of college.

"It is much different," he said. "The atmosphere is different (than) from going to McKale Center in Arizona and coming to Maples (Pavilion)."

Walton agreed that the transition from the UA to Los Angeles has been significant.

"In the NBA, it's your job. You don't have to worry about college and working on schoolwork. You can dedicate yourself (to the game)," he said.

Though Walton, a family studies graduate, seemed glad to be done with essays and midterms, he said he has fond memories of the UA campus.

"It's a big part of my life that's over," he said. "I miss the guys, the coaches ÷ you know, the whole atmosphere."

Walton said he keeps in contact with his old UA teammates from time to time but doesn't speak with UA head coach Lute Olson regularly.

"I went back for the alumni game, but I haven't talked to him in a while," he said.

Walton was also in attendance for Olson's roast last August.

"That was a good time," Walton recalled as a sly grin crept over his face.

Playing for the Lakers in the Hollywood spotlight also gives Luke the chance to live closer to his family, most of whom live in Southern California. That list includes his older brother Nate ÷ a forward and center for Princeton's basketball team from 1996-2001 ÷ who declared himself a candidate for governor in last month's recall election.

Of 135 candidates, Nathan Whitecloud Walton ÷ as his name appeared on the ballot ÷ finished 47th with 1,688 votes.

"I was glad to see that. He got my vote," Luke proudly declared.

Someday soon, however, Nate may find himself voting for Luke ÷ on an NBA All-Star fan ballot.