Lonnie Walker IV emerged as the star in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals Monday night, exploding for 15 fourth-quarter points to spark the Los Angeles Lakers to a 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors and a 3-1 edge in the series.
Although his late-game heroics were unexpected, Walker has always been a high-level scorer dating back to his days at
Reading (Pa.), where he played four seasons from 2013-14 through 2016-17.
Walker was named a MaxPreps All-American, McDonald's All-American and Mr. Pennsylvania as a senior after averaging 18.4 points per contest. Walker broke the school's all-time career scoring record that was previously held by Donyell Marshall with 1,828 points.
On March 25, 2017, Walker led Reading to its first state championship in the program's 117-year history by leading the way with 22 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists in a 64-60 victory over Pine-Richland (Gibsonia).
Walker was a consistent scoring force throughout his high school career, averaging eight points per contest as a freshman, 16.9 points per game as a sophomore and 17.1 points per outing as a junior.
Walker helped guide the Red Knights to a record of 104-23 during his four years with the program and a record of 62-7 over his final two seasons of high school basketball.
The fifth-year pro was regarded as the No. 14 overall prospect in the Class of 2017 according to 247Sports. Other notable prospects in that senior class included DeAndre Ayton, Wendell Carter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr., Collin Sexton, Gary Trent Jr., P.J. Washington and Trae Young among others.
Reading has had unprecedented success over the last three seasons, compiling a record of 84-7 since the start of the 2020-21 season with a pair of state titles and MaxPreps Top 25 finishes.
