Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Walton Honors Family Through Jersey Number
2/9/2022 12:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Les Johns
After his sophomore year of college, Wake Forest big man Dallas Walton changed his jersey number in honor of his aunt.
Black History Month: Wake Forest Athletics will share unique stories and content about current Black student-athletes throughout Black History Month on GoDeacs.com and through all team social media accounts. Information and profiles shared are archived here.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Dallas Walton grew up a massive Kevin Durant fan, and why would that be any surprise?
As a big man himself, Walton was able to see the offensive versatility displayed by Durant — the ability to bang in the post against anyone, but also handle the ball and be dangerous from the perimeter. On top of all that, KD is known to be kind and authentic, passionate and personable — he's admired by his teammates and has an adoring fanbase.
So, at Arvada West High School (Arvada, Colorado) Walton started wearing Durant's No. 35 jersey, and that's what he stuck with until his final season at Colorado University.
"For most of my collegiate career, I was No. 35," Walton explained. "That was my number in high school. I loved Kevin Durant growing up. I wanted to be like KD, so I wore No. 35 because of that."
But then Walton's beloved aunt, Kristen Walton Maclin, passed away after a battle with leukemia. She wore No. 13 during her volleyball career at Colorado State, where she ranks third all-time with 132 career aces (1989-93).
"My sophomore year of college, my aunt passed away from leukemia," Walton said. "She was No. 13 when she played volleyball at Colorado State University. I switched my number to 13 in honor of her. She meant a lot in my life and was a big influence on me. It meant a lot to me and my family that I switched that number in for her."
Walton said some of his best life memories stem from time spent with his aunt and her family, including her sons Kaylon and Donovan Maclin
"My best memories were going over to her house for Thanksgiving or for other dinners," he explained. "She was a big part of building Disney World, so when we went down to Florida, she would show us around the park. She worked specifically on Animal Kingdom and was proud of what she did over there.
"Her two boys are like brothers to me. I want to be there for them. Just as hard as it was for me, it was even more tough for them losing their mother. It meant a lot to me to spend time with them. My memories with her and with them will be cherished forever."
As an engineer in Florida, Maclin did a lot of work with Disney, including on the Tree of Life that's displayed in the Animal Kingdom amusement park.
"I visited in January of 2003 after it was finished," Walton said. "It was amazing to be with her and see how proud she was of that finished product. It was really cool."
Maclin was a stellar volleyball player for Colorado State and at Walton family functions.
"She was a great volleyball player," Walton said. "She was a starter and a big-time volleyball player at CSU.
"At family events, there was always a volleyball net. It was more likely we'd see a volleyball net than a basketball hoop and she would be whooping everybody. She would let everybody know she runs that department. She taught me a thing or two."
Walton has worn No. 13 both in his final season at Colorado as well as this season at Wake Forest.
"It means everything, mainly for my family and my two little cousins," he said. "Whenever they watch my games and see me wearing No. 13, they know it's for her. They have a big spot in my heart, and I will always be there for them. It represents not just the memory of her, but the assurance that I will always be there for my two little cousins."
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Dallas Walton grew up a massive Kevin Durant fan, and why would that be any surprise?
As a big man himself, Walton was able to see the offensive versatility displayed by Durant — the ability to bang in the post against anyone, but also handle the ball and be dangerous from the perimeter. On top of all that, KD is known to be kind and authentic, passionate and personable — he's admired by his teammates and has an adoring fanbase.
So, at Arvada West High School (Arvada, Colorado) Walton started wearing Durant's No. 35 jersey, and that's what he stuck with until his final season at Colorado University.
"For most of my collegiate career, I was No. 35," Walton explained. "That was my number in high school. I loved Kevin Durant growing up. I wanted to be like KD, so I wore No. 35 because of that."
But then Walton's beloved aunt, Kristen Walton Maclin, passed away after a battle with leukemia. She wore No. 13 during her volleyball career at Colorado State, where she ranks third all-time with 132 career aces (1989-93).
"My sophomore year of college, my aunt passed away from leukemia," Walton said. "She was No. 13 when she played volleyball at Colorado State University. I switched my number to 13 in honor of her. She meant a lot in my life and was a big influence on me. It meant a lot to me and my family that I switched that number in for her."
Walton said some of his best life memories stem from time spent with his aunt and her family, including her sons Kaylon and Donovan Maclin
"My best memories were going over to her house for Thanksgiving or for other dinners," he explained. "She was a big part of building Disney World, so when we went down to Florida, she would show us around the park. She worked specifically on Animal Kingdom and was proud of what she did over there.
"Her two boys are like brothers to me. I want to be there for them. Just as hard as it was for me, it was even more tough for them losing their mother. It meant a lot to me to spend time with them. My memories with her and with them will be cherished forever."
As an engineer in Florida, Maclin did a lot of work with Disney, including on the Tree of Life that's displayed in the Animal Kingdom amusement park.
"I visited in January of 2003 after it was finished," Walton said. "It was amazing to be with her and see how proud she was of that finished product. It was really cool."
Maclin was a stellar volleyball player for Colorado State and at Walton family functions.
"She was a great volleyball player," Walton said. "She was a starter and a big-time volleyball player at CSU.
"At family events, there was always a volleyball net. It was more likely we'd see a volleyball net than a basketball hoop and she would be whooping everybody. She would let everybody know she runs that department. She taught me a thing or two."
Walton has worn No. 13 both in his final season at Colorado as well as this season at Wake Forest.
"It means everything, mainly for my family and my two little cousins," he said. "Whenever they watch my games and see me wearing No. 13, they know it's for her. They have a big spot in my heart, and I will always be there for them. It represents not just the memory of her, but the assurance that I will always be there for my two little cousins."
Not yet a subscriber or know someone who would like to receive these stories in their email inbox? Click here for the DSX subscription link - share it with your friends!
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