For a high-profile player like Walker, a junior projected as a possible top-10 pick if he declares for the N.B.A. draft, first-year assistant Kevin Ollie has provided a spiritual, intellectual and practical road map for what it takes to be a leader, a winner and a successful man at the next level — of basketball and life.

“Stay humble, believe in yourself, work every day like it’s your last day and always play like you’re trying out for the team,” Ollie said he told Walker.

Ollie, 38, holds a Ph.D. in the gritty reality of pro basketball life, having retired last year after 13 N.B.A. seasons.

Unlike high-profile ex-Huskies like Ray Allen, Emeka Okafor, Richard Hamilton and Ben Gordon, Ollie was a professional nomad. He played two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association, then played for 11 teams in 12 cities during his N.B.A. career.

In addition to working with UConn’s guards, Ollie reinforces Calhoun’s message — often delivered not so gently — of perseverance.
“You’ve got all these guys who stay in the league because he puts that self-fortitude in us that, throughout cuts, trades or anything that happens, that we believe in ourselves,” Ollie said.