What a week it’s been for Spurs rookie Lonnie Walker IV.

From a late-night tour of the team’s practice facility to dinner with Gregg Popovich to a love-fest with fans at a Wal-Mart, the effervescent first-round draft pick has had the time of his life while getting to know his new home.

“It’s surreal to me,” he said. “I feel like I am in Disneyland.”

The Spurs introduced Walker to local media Friday, and he said all the right things. That includes his response when asked if he’s been following the Kawhi Leonard drama.

“Not at all,” he said. “I am going to stay in my lane, focus on the Spurs and worry about the jersey across my chest.”

For fans sick of all the anxiety caused by the disgruntled Leonard and the trade rumors involving him, Walker was a breath of fresh air. While Leonard reportedly can’t wait to get out of town, it’s been a case of love at first sight so far for Walker and San Antonio.

“It’s like no other,” the former University of Miami guard said of his new home. “The community has welcomed me more than I honestly expected. I went to Walmart, I went to a couple of places, and it’s amazing how much the fans love you and take care of you.”

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With his distinctive hair style, Walker has been easy to spot.

“Once they notice me, they don’t really look at me eye to eye, they look at my hair and it’s like, ‘All right. You are definitely Lonnie,’” he said.

It’s not just the fans who have bowled him over. The 18th overall pick of the draft also can’t get over the Spurs’ first-class approach.

“The coaches, the staff, the facility, it’s amazing,” he said. “Everything is actually above my expectations. It feels more family-oriented rather than individuals. Everybody is treated the same, everybody is treated with love and care.”

Perhaps the best part of this get-to-know you phase of his relationship with the team was a late-night visit to the team’s practice facility.

Gazing wide-eyed at the five NBA championship banners, the Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker nameplates in the locker room and all the other trappings of the Spurs’ decades-long success, Walker broke out in goose bumps.

“I was like, wow, these guys are amazing,” he said.

Another highlight of his first week in town: A Tuesday dinner with coach Gregg Popovich, some assistants and second-round pick Chimezie Metu.

Walker couldn’t remember the name of the restaurant, but he had no problem recalling what they ate.

“We had some squid, some fried oysters, a plethora of food,” he said.

Any wine?

“(Popovich) asked me and I said I was 19, and he looked at me and (said), ‘What? You don’t drink? I said, ‘No, sir. I’m 19 years old. I don’t drink yet.’”

The wine likely will come later. But for now, all Walker wants to do with Popovich is learn from him on the practice floor.

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“Day in and day out, I love that blood sweat and tears,” he said. “Since I was born, my dad instilled a work ethic into me that not too many people have. So, given the opportunity to have a coach like Gregg Popovich who is going to make me even better and is going to make me grind even harder, that’s one thing that I want and I need.”

But before he works with Popovich, Walker will be put through his paces first by assistant coach Will Hardy at the Utah Summer League squad, which begins July 2 in Salt Lake City.

Although it’s early, Hardy said he’s been impressed with Walker and Metu, the 49th overall pick.

“They ask a lot of questions — in a good way,” Hardy said. “They want to get it right. We are excited to have them. Their level of athleticism is going to be really fun. Spurs fans are going to really enjoy watching those two guys play.”

Walker can’t wait to get to work.

“I’ve got a lot to prove,” he said. “I’ve got a lot to show. I’m hungry, I’m starving and I’m ready to work and I’m ready to show I’m one of the best players in the draft.”

torsborn@express-news.net

@tom_orsborn