By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
PAOK announced a three-year deal with Leland Walker on Wednesday, and subsequently loaned him to U-BT Cluj-Napoca. Salon Vilpas also confirmed the agreement, noting that they received a significant transfer fee and that Walker will play one final Korisliiga game this Friday before officially joining his new club.
The Thessaloniki outfit secured the 23-year-old guard until 2029 as part of their long-term planning. For the rest of the 2026–27 season, Walker will suit up for the reigning champions in Romania, getting valuable minutes in the BKT EuroCup, the AdmiralBet ABA League, and domestic competitions.
Born on April 12, 2003, in Indianapolis, the 1.85-meter playmaker started his professional career in Finland with Vilpas. He quickly drew attention by setting a new scoring record in the Basketball Champions League Qualification Rounds with 42 points. Overall, he averaged 30.6 points across five BCL matches and added 25.4 points per night over seven games in Finland’s top-tier division.
O Αμερικανός γκαρντ Leland Walker στον ΠΑΟΚ για τα επόμενα τρία χρόνια.
👉🏻 Για το υπόλοιπο της σεζόν 2026-27 θα παραχωρηθεί δανεικός στην U-BT Cluj Napoca.
https://t.co/C0rRBRjm4m— PAOK BC (@PAOKbasketball) October 28, 2026
Initial reports indicated PAOK originally planned to leave Walker with Vilpas for the duration of their Champions League campaign. In his two regular-season appearances, he put up 24.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per contest. Those numbers ranked him second in scoring and fifth in passing.
🚨Vilpas tiedottaa: Leland Walker siirtyy kreikkalaisseura PAOKin riveihin
Walkerin viimeiseksi esiintymiseksi Vilppaan paidassa jää tulevan perjantain Korisliiga-vierasottelu Lahti Basketballia vastaan.
🔗: https://t.co/dED7sBhFGv
#korisliiga #BasketballCL https://t.co/crmV4Txma8
— Vilpas (@salonvilpas) October 28, 2026
Despite his spectacular efforts, the Finnish club sits 0–2 at the bottom of the Regular Season’s Group C, featuring Windrose Giants Antwerp, Falco-Vulcano Szombathely, and AEK. The Greek side opted to instead move him to fellow EuroCup participant, Cluj-Napoca. A major step up for the young guard, who took his talents to Europe after a nomadic NCAA career with stints at Wyoming, Florida Atlantic, and Eastern Kentucky.
In the EuroCup Regular Season, PAOK is currently tied for second in Group D at 3–2. Walker’s temporary home, Cluj-Napoca, ranks seventh in Group B with a 2–3 record.
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