By Michael McAllister
At 6'10" and 205 pounds, Chris Walker is a big prospect in more ways than one. He's one of the best forward prospects in the class of 2013. However, some schools are talking to him about playing center. We had the opportunity to discuss his recruitment and his game.
Nation of Orange: Tell us about your season and how things went.
Chris Walker: This season was really good at my high school. I averaged 32 (points), 16 (rebounds), and 6 blocks. We made it to the semi-finals but lost by 3 points.
Nation of Orange: The AAU season is coming up. Who are you going to playing for and what events will you be participating in?
Chris Walker: I’m playing on the Florida Rams. We’ve got a tournament on April 20th, and the one in Atlanta after that.
Nation of Orange: Describe your game.
Chris Walker: My strengths are rebounding and running the floor, as well blocking shots. I can run in transition and finish with contact. My weaknesses are strength, and playing outside the three-point line.
Nation of Orange: Talk about your recruiting, who you have offers from, and if you have any favorites right now.
Chris Walker: I’ve got offers from just about everyone in the country besides Kentucky. I’m still working on that. I’ll probably get that April 20th at the Vegas tournament. My top 5 right now is Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State, and Baylor, and Syracuse. So I guess it’s a top 6.
Nation of Orange: So Syracuse has made you an official offer?
Chris Walker: Yeah I’ve got one from them
Nation of Orange: What about Kentucky is appealing to you and what have they been telling you?
Chris Walker: They’ve been telling me how they would use me, and how I could fit into their program kind of like Anthony Davis. Block a lot of shots, run the floor, and score when I need to.
Nation of Orange: How about Syracuse? What is appealing to you about them, who’s been recruiting you, and what have they been telling you?
Chris Walker: Jim has been recruiting me. He’s been telling me how I could be like Fab in the zone and block shots also.
Nation of Orange: Have you played zone before and do you prefer that or man?
Chris Walker: Yeah I’ve played zone sometimes. It doesn’t really matter to me which defense I play.
Nation of Orange: Any visits planned coming up?
Chris Walker: I’ll be taking visits this summer, probably after the AAU season. Probably to my top 6 that I named.
Nation of Orange: Since you’re from Florida, Syracuse, Baylor, Kansas and others are a little bit far from there. Does distance from home play a factor in your decision at all?
Chris Walker: No it won’t be a factor.
Nation of Orange: Now what about weather? Obviously Syracuse has a much colder winter climate than some of the other schools you’re looking at. Will that be a factor at all?
Chris Walker: Not at all. The weather doesn’t matter at all.
Nation of Orange: In regards to the NCAA Tournament this year, did you fill out a bracket and how did you do?
Chris Walker: I had Kentucky winning it all, so I did pretty good. My final four was Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State, and Michigan State. So I did pretty good.
Nation of Orange: Do you have a favorite NBA team?
Chris Walker I joined the bandwagon, I’m not going to lie. When LeBron came to Miami, I started rooting for them.
Nation of Orange: What do you like to do off the court when you want to have fun?
Chris Walker: I like to hang out with friends and family.
Nation of Orange: What do you have playing in your iPod right now?
Chris Walker iPod right now? I’ve got Soldier Boy and Solider Girl. I’m just playing! I got Future, I like to listen to Future.
Nation of Orange: Back to your recruitment, how many times has Syracuse and Kentucky been out to see you?
Chris Walker: Kentucky has been to my school like three times, and Syracuse I think twice.
Nation of Orange: Do you have any time frame for your decision?
Chris Walker: Either after the AAU or at the start of my senior year.
