City of Palms: Five-star shooting guard M.J. Walker keeps a low profile

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As a five-star prospect, it's not easy to keep a low profile, but that's exactly what 2017's No. 27 ranked player, shooting guard M.J. Walker, has done so far.

With a lack of big-time players left on the list of available players, though, that's going to change quickly for the 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Jonesboro (Ga.) High.

The physical and tough wing who can light it up from deep had a tough night from the field in Jonesboro's quarterfinal loss to Montverde (Fla.) Academy on Monday night, but through three games at the City of Palms he's still averaging 29.3 points and 11 rebounds an outing.

"I know if my shot isn't falling that I can always control how hard I play and defensively I know that's where I can pick it up," Walker told Rivals.com. "If I can't help my team with my shot, I can help with my defense. I have been in a position where I've had to bring it every day and that I can't be average and lean on anybody else.

"As a player that's helped me learn to lean on my teammates, build off of them and create shots for them because at the end of the day I couldn't get the shots I take without them."

Though his recruitment has been very quiet to this point, Walker says that should be changing soon.

So far, Walker says that his interest level has been all over the place with programs like Florida State, Maryland, Ohio State, Kansas (had an assistant on hand Monday), Indiana, Georgia Tech and UCLA making pitches to him for visits.

The only place that has actually had him on campus for an official visit is Florida State.

"It was a good visit, it was nice," said Walker. "I liked the setup and I felt the vibe with the coaching staff and the players. We went to the (football) game and they played Clemson and it was a really nice environment."

Josh Pastner is in his first year at Georgia Tech and he's had Walker on campus, but Pastner wants to give Walker the full experience and has aggressively pursued him.

"(Pastner) is consistent, that's what I can say about him," said Walker. "He's consistent in checking on me and making sure I'm doing well. He definitely wants me to make an official visit there as well."

With four official visits left at his disposal, Walker says that he and his dad have discussed looking to set things up soon and that they hope to sit down and get the process moving.

"I haven't really decided on the other official visits yet," said Walker. "Me and my dad, my family, we are going to talk about that when we get home and decide on some official visits from there.

According to Walker, his mother has expressed an interest to have him closer to home and distance could eventually come into play with his decision. However, he's remaining open and is hoping to find the best combination of early opportunity and a winning situation.

"I definitely want to play (early), of course," said Walker. "At the same time I want to be in best situation possible. I don't want to be at a school where say I'm playing a lot, but the players don't vibe with me like that and we aren't winning, those things count a lot."