The Illinois basketball team made another top list for 2019 on Monday afternoon.
Long-time target Anthony Walker decided to cut his list down to just eight programs. The teams that he kept alive in his recruitment include VCU, Pittsburgh, Miami (FL), Rhode Island, Maryland, Kansas, Boston College and Illinois.
While Walker’s list currently sits at eight teams, he has essentially already narrowed those eight teams down to just five. He has scheduled his official visits already and the first one is actually to Champaign on September 6. He will then take a visit to Pittsburgh on September 15, Rhode Island September 22, Miami October 6 and VCU October 20.
Snagging a player like Walker would be good for all of these programs. He is a 6-foot-8, 205-pound power forward from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 146 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 26 power forward in the nation.
Once again, thanks to all of the schools that have recruited me. I truly appreciate all the college coaches that took time out to evaluate me and follow my progress this spring & summer. I have decided to move forward with these eight schools. Special shoutout to @tiptonedits pic.twitter.com/LBUdd39oGL
— Anthony Walker (@Antgotclout) August 27, 2018
In the most recent update of Walker’s measurables, his AAU profile shows him at 6-foot-10. This adds some length to his game that is clear when you watch him play. I thought he looked a little taller than 6-foot-8 on the court.
Walker would be an interesting addition to the Illinois basketball team. I feel like there is a lot of untapped potential in his game. He isn’t a polished player by any means, but I like that. The kid isn’t set in his ways, so this enables Brad Underwood to use his coaching skills to improve Walker as a player. Just look at what he did with Leron Black in one season.
During AAU ball this summer, Walker averaged 14.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game for Team BBC in the Adidas Gauntlet League. Those are good scoring numbers. He is more of a paint scorer, but it looks like he might be trying to expand his game. He was 75-percent from the free throw line, and he was 8-of-16 from three-point range. This is something to keep an eye on moving forward.
I think there is a bright future for Walker. He has a lot of potential that no one has seen yet. This official visit Illinois is getting from this kid is big. Hopefully, they can do enough to convince him that Champaign is the place to be.