Cal's Sakima Walker Finds Her Footing After Winning Title Elsewhere

The South Carolina transfer has been a steady presence for the Bears as they aim for an NCAA Tournament bid.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Sakima Walker, a 6-foot-6 center, had won a national championship with South Carolina but played sparingly. After transferring to Cal, she has become a key player for the Bears, leading the team in rebounds and blocks per game while ranking second in points per game. Walker's journey to prominence at Cal has been marked by perseverance, as she dealt with limited playing time and even depression at her previous schools before finding her groove with the Bears.

Why it matters

Walker's emergence as a dominant player for Cal is significant, as the Bears are trying to improve their credentials for an NCAA Tournament bid. Her steady presence and production have been crucial for a team looking to build on its NCAA Tournament appearance last season.

The details

After winning a national title with South Carolina in 2024 and finishing as the runner-up the following year, Walker transferred to Cal, where she has blossomed into a key player. She leads the Bears in rebounds (6.7) and blocks (1.5) per game and is second on the team in points per game at 11.9. This is a significant turnaround for Walker, who had started just three games in her previous four seasons of Division I basketball, including two at Rutgers.

  • Walker won a national championship with South Carolina in 2024.
  • Walker finished as the runner-up with South Carolina in 2025.
  • Walker transferred to Cal ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The players

Sakima Walker

A 6-foot-6 center who transferred to Cal after winning a national title with South Carolina.

Charmin Smith

The head coach of the Cal women's basketball team.

Ty-Ron Douglas

The associate athletic director for diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and justice at Cal.

Samaki Walker

Sakima Walker's father, a former NBA player who won a championship with the 2002 Lakers.

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What they’re saying

“You already have a ring. Now, we need you to come here and be the rock.”

— Ty-Ron Douglas, Associate Athletic Director, Cal

“I'm able to really be demanding of her because we need her: We need her to defend. We need her to be a playmaker for us. We need her to do so many things that I think it allowed her to gain a ton of confidence and find a love for basketball in a way that she hadn't.”

— Charmin Smith, Head Coach, Cal Women's Basketball

“You claw your way back to get on the (South Carolina) team that has success, but you don't really feel a part of it. Only she knows the depth of where she had to search spiritually to find her way. A lot of kids would have just sunk.”

— Samaki Walker

What’s next

Sakima Walker and the Cal women's basketball team will host Clemson on Thursday as they continue their push for an NCAA Tournament bid.

The takeaway

Sakima Walker's journey from limited playing time at South Carolina to becoming a key player for Cal showcases her perseverance and the value of finding the right fit. Her emergence as a dominant force for the Bears underscores the importance of providing players with the platform to showcase their talents and reach their full potential.