NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Florida and Tennessee among 4 SEC Schools in play for 4-star prospect CJ Walker
2019 prospect CJ Walker is expected to make a college decision by the end of summer. Which team is he likely to pick?
Orlando Christian Prep star CJ Walker is on the rise and has narrowed his college choices down to five schools. Walker, a 4-star prospect, appears to want to stay in the southeast as four of his top-five schools play in the SEC. Eric Bossi of Rivals.com is reporting he is focusing his recruitment on Arkansas, Florida, Louisville, LSU, and Tennessee.
The 6-foot-7 forward has gone from being an athlete to becoming a high-level basketball player. He showed off his hops during the dunk contest at Pangos All-American Camp this past weekend.
The high-flying Walker has a decent mid-range game and has shown steady improvement from the perimeter. He likes to play uptempo and is fantastic in the open court. But it’s his defensive versatility, rebounding and high motor is what separates him from others in his class. Walker is capable of guarding all five positions due to his length and lateral quickness.
“We’ve been waiting to hear when our visits are going to be set,” said Walker told Bossi. “They are going to be before my next school year and season. I’m ready (to decide). I just need to see what the environment is like at each school and which one I like the most and also see how the coaches are towards the players and how the players are towards each other.”
In-depth look at the five schools
Arkansas: The Razorbacks have won 20-plus games in four of the past five seasons. The Hogs have reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two campaigns and three of four.
Arkansas will have no seniors this upcoming season and unless something changes won’t have an open scholarship available in 2019. Although sophomore center Daniel Gafford tested NBA waters after his freshman campaign, and with a solid season could leave after next season.
Florida: The Gators are 69-37 under coach Mike White, having made the NCAA Tournament the last two years. The Gators will lose at least three players after this upcoming season – KeVaughn Allen, Jalen Hudson and Kevarrius Hayes. They have three freshmen coming in this season led by 4-star Andrew Nembhard.
UF is projected to have three scholarships available for the 2019 campaign according to Verbal Commits. The Gators haven’t received any commitment from next year’s class and reportedly has 43 open offers.
It appears that the Gators will have three forwards on the roster for 2019. However, Keith Stone is the only player that is certain to be ahead of anyone that the program brings in. Chase Johnson, who appeared in just four games in 2017-18, and Dontay Bassett are the other forwards currently on the roster.
Louisville: The Cards have a new coach in Chris Mack. Mack, 48, posted a 215-97 record in nine seasons at Xavier, leading the Musketeers to the NCAA Tournament eight times. Xavier reached the Sweet 16 on four occasions during this nine-year period.
The Cards are in a little transition period, which may be a good thing for Mack as he will be able to bring in his guys from the beginning. U of L is projected to have a number of scholarships available for the 2019-2020 campaign. Although they have already garnered one commit, in 4-star guard Josh Nickelberry.
LSU: The Tigers have not made the NCAA Tournament in the last three years. But they did reach the NIT last year under first-year coach Will Wade with an 18-15 record. LSU is expected to have at least two scholarships available for 2019 with the departures of Daryl Edwards and Kavell Bigby-Williams. Also, incoming freshman Nazreon Reid , who could be a lottery pick, and sophomore point guard Tremont Waiters could opt for the NBA draft.
LSU appears to be looking at a number of freshmen wings for the 2019 season.
Next: Audiese Toney commits to Pitt
Tennessee: The Vols went 26-7 and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, last year. The Vols will lose two scholarship players after this season in forward Admiral Schofield and big man Kyle Alexander. They do have a verbal commitment from 2-star prospect Devonte Gaines out of Buffalo.