CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – To be invited to the NBPA Top 100 Camp and as underclassmen, you have to be a top-notch prospect. Chris Walker, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound power forward out of Holmes County (FL) most certainly fits the bill.
The class of 2013 star has seen his stock soar this spring and earned an invite to the elite camp that is primarily for rising seniors. While there, the long, athletic Floridian spoke with Memphis Roar about the Tigers, his recruitment as a whole, his game, and more.
Walker provided an extensive school list that included Florida, Kentucky, Syracuse, Ohio State, Kansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State, Memphis, Georgia, Miami, Baylor, Ole Miss, Texas, and Texas Tech.
He noted that there are even more schools involved and said that he currently holds offers from Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State, Memphis, Georgia, Baylor, and Ole Miss. As for his top schools right now, Walker said, “Kentucky is, Florida [and] Syracuse.”
Walker has only visited Florida, Florida State and Alabama thus far, but plans to have that list grow as time goes on.
“I’m trying to visit all them schools,” Walker said, adding that Kentucky is the school he is most excited to eventually visit.
With Wednesday as the first day that schools could call 2013 prospects, Walker said he fielded calls from every college he listed.
“Just a school that [has] great facilities of course, a great coaching staff, great fan base, [and] college teachers that look out for you,” Walker said of what he is looking for in a school.
One thing that will not be a factor for Walker is location, as he said, “That don’t matter to me.”
On whether there is any coach in particular he has the best relationship with, Walker remarked, “Probably coach [Florida head coach Billy] Donovan, [assistant] coach Orlando [Antigua] at Kentucky and [head] coach [Anthony] Grant from Alabama.”
Walker provided his thoughts on Memphis and discussed what it is he likes about the Tigers.
“I like Memphis, I just met one coach, but I talked to coach Pastner,” Walker said. “I like him a lot, when I talked to him he seemed like an honest [guy, who is] not gonna lie to you.”
Walker said he is being recruited to Memphis by head coach Josh Pastner and assistant coach Jack Murphy.
“Kevin Durant, but without the shooting part,” Walker said of who he compares his game to. “Not even close to the shooting part.”
Asked what he considers the strongest part of his game, Walker replied, “Running the floor . . . rebounding, [and] blocking shots.”
As for his chief weakness on the hardwood, Walker remarked, “Strength [and] . . . post moves, need to work on post moves so I can finish, but mostly strength.”
“It’s a good experience playing against all the best talent in the country,” Walker said of NBPA Top 100 Camp. “Real good competition [and a chance to] learn from some of the best high school coaches.”
Although Walker did have some struggles offensively at NBPA Camp, he put up a respectable 6.5 points per game. In addition, he blocked shots, grabbed rebounds and showed off his tremendous upside.
It is clear that Chris Walker is a terrific talent with a chance to be a special player, which is why so many elite basketball programs, including Memphis, are vying for his services.
“As for his chief weakness on the hardwood, Walker remarked, “Strength
[and] . . . post moves, need to work on post moves so I can finish, but
mostly strength.”
Did someone remind him of our #1 strength coach?
“As for his chief weakness on the hardwood, Walker remarked, “Strength
[and] . . . post moves, need to work on post moves so I can finish, but
mostly strength.”
Did someone remind him of our #1 strength coach?
“As for his chief weakness on the hardwood, Walker remarked, “Strength
[and] . . . post moves, need to work on post moves so I can finish, but
mostly strength.”
Did someone remind him of our #1 strength coach?