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In high school, he was Robin to O.J. Mayo's Batman as the duo teamed up to win two state championships at North College Hill High School in Cincinnati.

During his tenure at Kansas State, he played alongside future NBA lottery pick Michael Beasley and under head coach Bob Huggins.

In his rookie season with the Celtics, the 6-foot-6, 198-pound Walker played in the large shadow of perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

Now that Walker is with the Knicks (21-39), Tracy McGrady gets the spotlight.

"I always felt like I had the talent," Walker said Wednesday after scoring a career-high 22 points when the Knicks beat Detroit, 118-104, at Madison Square Garden. "I just played with some guys that were gifted and they took the headlights and rightfully so, they earned it."

The Knicks visit Toronto on Friday night before returning home to host the Nets on Saturday

Batman and Robin: Mayo and Walker became best friends after meeting in preschool in West Virginia. Once they became teammates, Mayo got recognition for his flair and smile and Walker for his hops and occasional snarl. By seventh grade, Mayo was being featured in national magazines. By high school, he was listed on Wikipedia.

Mayo became the "next LeBron James" as the duo left Rose Hill High in Huntington, W.Va., for Cincinnati, played numerous games on ESPN and won two state crowns at North College Hill.

"It was great, us growing up, same place," Walker said. "We went to the same preschool, just being able to live something we dreamed about as kids. Damn near impossible to do coming where we're from."

While Mayo got all the attention, those who watched those games knew that Walker was an athletic freak.

"He was Vince Carter reincarnated," Sonny Vaccaro told ESPN.com. "He did unbelievable things."

"He was so explosive," Mayo also told ESPN.com. "It was incredible."

Walker's senior season was taken from him when the Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled that he had played twice as a freshman -- in both Kentucky and Ohio -- and he was ineligible to compete as a senior.

Without Walker, Mayo returned to Huntington and won another state title by himself at Huntington.

Because he wasn't a year removed from his high school graduating class, Walker couldn't enter the 2007 NBA Draft. Instead, he enrolled at Kansas State in the middle of the 2006-07 season.

After playing for Huggins and alongside Beasley at Kansas State, Walker was selected by the Washington Wizards as the 47th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and then traded to the Boston Celtics.

Reunited in the NBA: Although Mayo was runner-up to Derrick Rose last season for NBA Rookie of the Year honors, Walker is still searching for his niche.

Reunited at the NBA level, Walker and Mayo gave one another a warm embrace in the visitors' locker room before the Grizzles played the Knicks last Saturday.

"Just catching up on some stuff, some things that have happened in our lives," Walker said. "Basically he was just talking to me about being traded over here, how I liked it and all that. Talking about the direction our teams are going in, things like that."

Although Mayo and the Grizzlies are in the mix for a playoff spot, Walker and the Knicks are headed toward another potential 50-loss season as they look forward to a summer of chasing free agents.

Yet in an effort to mix things up, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni installed Walker into his "big lineup" for the Pistons game and the results paid off.

Taking advantage: Walker's career high included 12 points on dunks. McGrady excelled at point guard, putting up 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Walker's performance followed a 21-point game in Monday night's blowout loss to James and the Cavaliers

"He's one of those guys that is really taking advantage of the opportunities and getting a chance to play," McGrady said. "He's providing a spark for us.

"I'm happy for the guy because I really didn't realize he was that athletic. He could help some teams."

Said D'Antoni: "He is obviously athletic. He knows how to play. He's got a nice feel for the game. I'm pretty excited about what I've seen."

Walker's contract includes club options for the next two seasons. He knows he's auditioning for many teams next year but said he would love to stay in New York.

"Why wouldn't you want to be in New York?" Walker asked. "This is a great atmosphere to play in, great fans. But at the same time, I just like playing basketball. Anywhere I can go and get an opportunity to play, that would be good."

Even if he is somebody else's running buddy.