Walter Berry

American college basketball player who dominated at St. John's University, winning the 1986 Naismith Award as the nation's top player before a pro career.

Walter Berry was born in New York City in 1964. He attended San Jacinto College in Texas for two years before transferring to St. John's University, where in two seasons he became the most decorated player in Big East history to that point. He won the Naismith Award as national player of the year in 1986, the AP Player of the Year and the Big East Player of the Year. He averaged 23.0 points and 11.4 rebounds per game across his two St. John's seasons. His combination of post scoring, rebounding and mid-range shooting made him the most complete power forward in the nation. The Portland Trail Blazers selected him 14th overall in the 1986 NBA Draft. His professional career was significantly shorter than his college promise suggested — lasting only four NBA seasons — making him one of college basketball's more notable examples of a player who dominated the college game but couldn't establish the same professional relevance. His Big East career — two years of dominant scoring and rebounding that produced the national player of the year award — remains the peak achievement in St. John's basketball history.

Berry was a versatile forward with exceptional scoring ability and strong rebounding skills. He possessed a well-rounded offensive game that allowed him to score from various positions on the court. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ made him a matchup problem for opponents throughout his college career.

Berry's dominant college career helped establish St. John's as a major force in Big East basketball during the 1980s and contributed to the conference's golden era.

• Naismith Award (1986)
• Big East Player of Year
• All-American
• AP Player of Year