Florida '13 PF - Chris Walker (Florida Verbal)

I think we're sitting at a good 51% with C-Walk.

I'm glad that he's announcing next month so we can move in a different direction if he doesn't choose us or we can start building a class around him and Loving if he does choose us.

 

CHRIS WALKER IMPRESSED BY TEAM CHEMISTRY ON VISIT TO KANSAS | NBE Basketball Report

 

Man On A Mission
Class of '13 forward Chris Walker has the nation's top college bball programs paying attention.

by Rodger Bohn / @rodgerbohn

M.O.A.M. The acronym that many players use nowadays in reference their mindset towards achieving their ultimate goal of playing at the highest level. You'd think that as a top-5 player by most scouting services, junior forward Chris Walker would be content with such a prestigious ranking. Nah, not him. He's gunnin' for that number one spot.

"I think I'm the best player in the country because I can shoot 3's now, take it to the basket, and have way better body control than I did in the past," Walker said as he made his case for #1 in SLAM's Fresh 25 for 2013. "I'm ready to take my game to a whole other level. I go out there and try to kill."

The versatile 6-10 combo forward put in work for Holmes County HS in tiny Bonifay, FL as a sophomore too. He put up gaudy averages of 26 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 assists, and 2 steals that look more like video game stats than what you'd expect to see out of a 16-year old. Holmes County won, too. They made it to the Elite 8 for the first time in recent memory and should only be better this upcoming season.

Still open to all suitors in the recruitment process, Walker told SLAM that he has a top five of Kentucky, Florida, Kansas, UCONN and Ohio State, in no particular order, with no intentions on issuing a pledge to a college anytime soon. While Kentucky hasn't offered yet, Coach Cal was in to see the player who patterns himself after Kevin Durant just a few weeks ago. Rockin' all A's and B's in the class room with virtually every college in the country knocking at your door, outsiders would assume that Walker would have a Kanye-syndrome with a big ego. Not him.

"Most people don't know that I'm just a normal dude who happens to be good at basketball. I'm just like everyone else," emphatically exclaimed Walker when asked if the lofty ranking had gotten to his head at all. "It's great getting all of these college coaches to come to our gym to watch though, because I love giving my teammates that kind of exposure for themselves.

SLAM ONLINE | Man On A Mission

 

•New Chris Walker Highlights•

Chris Walker is a BEAST - Top 5 Junior in the Country - Adidas Nations & ScoutsFocus - YouTube

 

Walker has already stated in the past that Ohio State was his favorite but he also said he would committ right before his Jr season but that didn't happen.

It sounds like he's looking for LBJ to confirm that OSU is the place he should go.

 

LeBron responds to tweet from HS*recruit


LeBron James, a longtime Buckeyes supporter, offered recruiting advice to the nation's No. 5 junior Chris Walker. Walker asked James via Twitter to what college should he take his talents.


The subject was where to take one's talents. Chris Walker asked and LeBron James answered.

Walker is a 6-10 junior forward at Holmes County High School in Bonifay, Fla. He’s one of the top recruits in the 2013 class -- currently ranked No. 5 in the ESPNU60 -- who has the interest of many of the programs in the nation. He’s also a big James fan and thinks so much of him that Walker sent James a message on Twitter asking where he should go to college.

Apparently, it was a serious question.

“I’m a top 5 player in the country in class of 2013. Where should I go to college Mr. James?†Walker asked James on Twitter.

“If LeBron hits me back and tells me where he thinks I should go, I'd do it,†Walker told ESPN’s Jason Jordan in an interview this week. “In my opinion, he's the best player in the league and I really look up to him. Plus, he’s the king. Gotta listen to the king, right?â€

When James heard about the request he offered some advice, and a few school suggestions.

"The advice I would give Chris Walker is to follow his heart and go where he believes he can help the program and they can give him a great education,†James told ESPN.com.

“Of course Ohio State and Kentucky are my two favorite programs for many reasons. They have great basketball programs, great coaches, players and are two of the best colleges in America. But with that said, Chris, you will know where you want to go when the time comes. I'm looking forward to seeing you make the decision and take your talents to that program and shine.â€

This time, it seems, James is being politically correct on the "taking of the talents" issue. James has been a supporter of Ohio State's basketball team, which started wearing his Nike brand of uniforms and shoes four years ago. Earlier this week James cheered the Buckeyes on in their victory over Duke. Several years ago, Buckeyes coach Thad Matta made James an honorary alum of the program.

It’s possible that the Buckeyes might have the inside track. Over the summer, Walker said in several interviews that he was favoring Ohio State. Now James is nudging him, at least partially, in that direction as well.

Over the last two years, though, James has also developed a new relationship with Kentucky. Coach John Calipari has been close with James for years. One of James’ lifelong friends, Brandon Weems, is on Calipari’s staff. He’s attended several Kentucky games, practices and camps since Calipari arrived in Lexington.

Both Kentucky and Ohio State have been recruiting Walker, who has the size of a power forward but the athleticism of a small forward and is regarded as having huge potential once he adds some weight in the next few years. He’s also had offers from the likes of Florida, Kansas, Louisville, Connecticut, Memphis and Syracuse, to name a few.

“The whole recruiting process can be a little overwhelming at times,†Walker said. “So many great schools want me to come and play for them. It’s hard to decide.â€

James is in a unique position when it comes to recruiting high school athletes. For the last five years, he has hosted the majority of the nation’s top high school players for Nike-sponsored camps in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He’s gotten to know and offer advice to top players like Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Jared Sullinger before they made their college picks.

There’s a good chance Walker will be in Akron at James’ camp next summer. Until then the two might just keep in touch via Twitter. With nearly 2.9 million followers, James recently moved into Twitter’s 100 most followed people. He’s the sixth most-followed athlete in the world and is third among American sports stars.

Brian Windhorst covers the Miami Heat for ESPN.com and the Heat Index.

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LeBron responds to tweet from HS recruit - ESPNHS Boys' Basketball - ESPNHS

 

Matta could use a 1-and-done type of kid like this in the '13 class.

He's done a good job of filling the program currently with what I call "4.5-star" players.

A "4.5-star" player is a player that is good enough to be impactful as a freshman and be a solid contributor or role player, and eventually develop into an all-conference caliber player, but not be a 1-and-done talent.

OSU's current "4.5-star" players

William Buford
Deshaun Thomas
Shannon Scott
Sam Thompson
Amir Williams


Sully is the only 5-star talent on the team IMO.


I believe Marc Loving will be a"4.5 star" player when he arrives. Same thing with Tony Parker.