NCAA Basketball: 15 undervalued players in 2020 recruiting class

#95 Rondel Walker, CG – Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State was riding a solid season until injuries stalled momentum in the middle of the year. Fans won’t be able to see the team run-it back in 2020, but they will get to see one of the most exciting recruiting classes in the nation instead. Led by 2020’s #1 recruit Cade Cunningham, the team’s focus will be centralized around his abilities and creativity on both ends of the floor.

There was a lot of roster turnover this offseason that will allow the Cowboys to reinvent their rotation to best fit their strengths. Five of the team’s top-6 scorers are gone from 2019, but Cunningham should not have chemistry issues in bringing AAU teammates Rondel Walker and Montreal Pena to the program as well. Returning guards Chris Harris Jr and Isaac Likekele are from Garland and Arlington, TX respectively, and are very familiar with the stud freshman.

While the production Likekele had for Oklahoma State last year will lock him in as a starter alongside Cunningham, the race for the 3rd backcourt member is a coin flip. Harris and Walker have very similar production with all things considered, but the latter may have an advantage over the sophomore-to-be. Walker is an absolute sniper from the perimeter. Knocking-in 42.4% of his 3-point shots on the Nike EYBL circuit last summer, he can be an extremely valuable and dangerous weapon for Coach Boynton to utilize on the floor.

With so much attention focused on Likekele’s penetration and Cunningham’s versatility, there will be large enough windows for Walker to get off comfortable shots throughout the game. His efficiency from behind the arc won’t require a huge volume to make tangible impacts for the Cowboys’ success. A step up to the D1 level won’t automatically ensure Walker shoots 42+% from 3, but it should be reasonable for him to accomplish mid-to-upper 30s next season with the extra cushion.