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Bart Walker and Simone Westbrook Inducted into the 2025 FSCAA Hall of Fame
Posted: Feb 25, 2025

Bart Walker and Simone Westbrook Inducted into the 2025 FSCAA Hall of Fame

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) unveiled its 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Class last week, honoring nine inductees—three from men's basketball and six from women's basketball. Among those selected were current Northwest Florida State Women's Basketball Head Coach Bart Walker and former Raider standout Simone Westbrook (2013-15).

Walker has led the Raiders for 10 of the past 17 seasons, first taking over in 2008 for two seasons before departing for six years. He returned in 2017 and has been at the helm ever since.

In his 10 seasons with Northwest Florida State, Walker has compiled 249 wins, bringing his career total to 455. His tenure includes six Panhandle Conference Championships, three FCSAA State Championships, and eight NJCAA National Tournament appearances. Under his leadership, the Raiders have reached the Elite 8 five times, the Final Four three times, finished as NJCAA National Runner-Up once in 2024, and captured two NJCAA National Championships in 2021 and 2023.

Walker's impressive accolades include six Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year honors, three FCSAA Coach of the Year awards, and two National Coach of the Year titles. Throughout his tenure, he has developed 31 Panhandle All-Conference players, eight All-FCSAA selections, two FCSAA Players of the Year, and six NJCAA All-Americans, including one National Player of the Year (Sakima Walker, 2023).

"We are elated for Coach Walker to be inducted into the FCSAA Women's Basketball Hall of Fame" said Athletic Director, Ramsey Ross. "While his on the court successes have been absolutely remarkable and completely justify this recognition, what makes this honor so special and appropriate is the enormous impact he has made on hundreds of his student-athletes off the court. Coach Walker understands the responsibility of ensuring his players are successful in life after basketball and takes great pride in seeing his players achieve academic completion."

Westbrook played a pivotal role for the Raiders from 2013 to 2015, leading the team to consecutive 25-win seasons and back-to-back NJCAA Elite 8 appearances. As a freshman (2013-14), she topped the Raiders' stat sheet in scoring (16.9 ppg), assists (3.2 apg), steals (2.8 spg), and free-throw percentage (77.7%). Her outstanding performance earned her NJCAA First Team All-American honors and the 2014 Panhandle Conference Player of the Year title. In her sophomore season, she started 29 of 33 games, averaging 24.4 minutes, 14.4 points, and 5.6 assists per game, earning NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention recognition in 2015.

After Northwest Florida, Westbrook transferred to the University of Florida for her junior season, where she started 13 of 31 games and scored in double figures 10 times. She finished as Florida's fourth-leading scorer while leading the team in steals and ranking second in assists. Her defensive skills were among the best in the SEC, ranking third in steals (2.3 spg), which earned her a spot on the All-SEC Defensive Team. Unfortunately, she missed her senior season (2016-17) due to injury.

Westbrook finished her collegiate career at Clemson University, where she started in 32 games for the Tigers. She led the team to a 20-13 overall record and an NCAA Tournament appearance while averaging 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Her defensive dominance continued, as she led the conference in steals and was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team.

"Simone will always stand out to me as one of the best women's basketball players I've seen play during by 20 years at Northwest Florida State College" said Ramsey Ross. "She had a unique ability to impact that game on both ends of the floor and her instincts, passion, and charisma made her an instant fan favorite. We are very excited for Simone to receive this amazing honor as she impacted our women's basketball program just as much as our program impacted her athletic and educational career."

Walker and Westbrook will both be recognized at the upcoming FCSAA State Basketball Tournament taking place March 12-15 at Raider Arena in Niceville, Fla. along with the other seven inductees.

 

Complete HOF Class

 

FCSAA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025

  • Damitrius Coleman, student-athlete, St. Petersburg College, 2002-04
  • Harold Fox, student-athlete, Brevard Junior College (now Eastern Florida State College), 1968-70
  • Paul O'Liney, student-athlete, Pensacola Junior College (now Pensacola State College), 1990-91 and 1992-93

 

FCSAA Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025

  • Arianna Emmanuel-Wright, student-athlete, Santa Fe College, 2015-17
  • David Lane, coach, Chipola College, 2003-12
  • Tiffany Stansbury, student-athlete, Gulf Coast State College, 2002-04
  • Tina Stephens, student-athlete, Florida Southwestern State College, 2017-19
  • Bart Walker, coach, Northwest Florida State College, 2008-10 and 2017-present
  • Simone Westbrook, student-athlete, Northwest Florida State College, 2013-15