Jamal Walker played guard for Xavier University under Pete Gillen from 1987-91 and is a member of the school's 1,000-point club.

It was Walker's 3-point shot from the corner that gave the Musketeers a 90-88 overtime victory over the University of Cincinnati in UC coach Bob Huggins' first Crosstown Shootout.

Now 33, Walker is the athletic director at Woodward High School. Summer-league basketball fans know him as the Deveroes Summer League public address announcer who provides humorous running commentary during the games and assigns nicknames to the players.

Walker took the time during Shootout week to answer five questions from Enquirer reporter Bill Koch.

Q: What do you remember from the shot that beat UC in the 1990 game?

A: That's one of my top five memories from playing at Xavier. I remember that they left me open. The scouting report must have been to leave me open.

Q: How did you prepare for the Crosstown Shootout when you were a player?

A: It's a big game, but it doesn't become a big game until you hit the court and you see the crowd. Pete Gillen had us prepared for anything, like it was pretty much a regular game. But when you got to the Gardens, it was a totally different atmosphere.

Q: How often do you still play basketball?

A: I tried to play with the (Woodward) team last week. I hadn't played for five or six months. It wasn't good. It's the mental thing now. The mind tells you to sit down (and guard) and your body tells you, "Yeah, right."

Q: What's your favorite summer-league nickname?

A: I like (Dayton's) Keith Waleskowski. He works so hard, I call him "9 to 5." Then his brother came in late and played in one or two games and I called him "Part-time." (LaSalle High grad) Dave Esterkamp was "The Pale Assassin." It was more to their personality. It's not done out of disrespect.

Q: Where did you learn to do the running commentary during games?

A: I'm from New York. I grew up with it and adapted it to Cincinnati. It's for the players to have a good time. ... It gives a little entertainment flavor to the game.