Advertisement
basketball Edit

Big man Derrick Walker lands in the SEC

Derrick Walker
Derrick Walker (Nike/Jon Lopez @NikeEYB)

Three-star power forward Derrick Walker made the decision last summer to do a post-grad year at Bel Aire (Kans.) Sunrise Christian Academy in order to give himself another year of development before moving to the college level. The decision paid off as he’s turned himself into a high major prospect and on Friday he committed to play in the SEC.

After taking an early January visit to Tennessee and seeing St. John’s last weekend, the 6-foot-8 power forward has committed to play for Rick Barnes and the Volunteers.

“I got to see a game there against Arkansas and they ended up losing that game too. It was a great environment there, though,” Walker said. “I feel like they are doing a good job there and are headed in the right direction.”

Advertisement

Playing for MoKan Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit the last few summers, Walker has held his own time and time again with the nation’s best big men. Playing alongside scoring machines like the nation’s No. 1 player Michael Porter Jr. and five-star point guard Trae Young he has never gotten to show off his offensive game, but he’s been a strong contributor in other areas.

Walker relishes physical contact and loves to do the dirty work. He defends bigger players because he’s tough, he hits the glass, he sets great screens and he’s an opportunistic scorer when he gets his chances.

Walker is the second member of the Volunteers recruiting class and joins three-star center Zach Kent who signed during the Fall.

Advertisement