Commitment breakdown: Five-star Jarace Walker to Houston

Houston continued to build momentum on Thursday, when the Cougars landed the commitment of five-star forward Jarace Walker, the No. 13 prospect in the 2022 Rivals150. Below, Rivals.com takes a look at what Kelvin Sampson is getting in his newest high-profile addition.

WHAT HOUSTON IS GETTING:

Walker’s game is that of a bully. He’s proficient in using his broad shoulders and 6-foot-8 frame to finish under and around the basket and impact games on the boards. His athleticism and ability to take defenders to the bucket grants him versatility, but he’s more of a bruiser than a creative scorer at this juncture. Walker will need to develop as a shooter to take the next step in his development, but he's ready to make a difference in the paint on both ends from the moment he sets foot on campus. The 6-foot-7 Walker is capable of guarding any frontcourt position and is as willing to do the dirty work as any prospect in America. He’s also a much better pass than he sometimes gets credit for being.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE COUGARS

Walker plays his high school ball at Florida’s famed IMG Academy, and getting an in at one of the nation’s premier basketball factories is a nice bonus here. Should Walker develop into a star, it could entice future high-level prospects at the boarding school to take a harder look at Kelvin Sampson’s program. Walker joins Terrance Arceneaux, the country's No. 30 overall prospect, on the Cougars' commitment list. Gifted sorcerer Emanuel Sharpe rounds out the class as it stands now. The momentum Sampson built with last year's Final Four run is very real and shows no signs of slowing down on the recruiting trail.

IN HIS WORDS

“At Houston I got a really big-time family atmosphere vibe from them. I’m really tight with that staff and I love what they’re doing over there. They play really hard-nosed and they rebound and defend. That’s what it takes to win.” -- Walker to Rivals.com this summer.