Walker discusses Florida decision

It's official. Erving Walker is headed South. The diminutive point guard from Christ the King High School in New York will suit up for the Florida Gators. The junior made his decision public after playing in the second round of the Academy National Invitational.

Walker has been high on Florida since playing in the Gators summer camp. He admitted that since then, his mind has been dead set on suiting up for the SEC program.

"When I went down there, I got to see their great players and the great campus and there are just great people there," Walker said. "Their style of play is exactly how I play.

"Coach Donovan is a great person. He's just straight up with you and you can talk to him about anything. Plus, him and coach (Bob Oliva) go way back and he played a big impact in my decision."

Oliva, who has coached in New York for 44 years, said he has known Donovan since he was a sixth grader. The legendary coach said he believes

"We've had great guards in my time in Erick (Barkley), Omar Cook, Speedy Claxton, and Erving is right there with them but he's different, too. He is who he is," Oliva said. "He's a great shooter, right up there with Omar but not nearly the passer he was. I really think he has what it takes be successful at Florida. He's a mature kid and has that ability to play there."

There are questions about how well a small guard like Walker can play at the highest level but Oliva said there is another way to look at that.

"People always say that but smaller guards can give you problems too because they are so quick," Oliva said. "The thing with Erving that makes him so different is that he can really shoot the hell out of the ball. He can handle that really well."

Size didn't seem to be a problem in Christ the King's 69-53 win over Rainer Beach. Walker grabbed nine rebounds and scored 21 points in the victory. He also handed out five assists and collected four steals.

Already holding a commitment from five-star point guard Nick Calathes in the class of 2007, Walker said he is looking forward to playing with the Floridian down the road.

"We are good friends. We played together at 5-star and we've been talking ever since then," Walker said. "I like all of the guys they have coming there. I actually just got a text from Alex Tyus and Chandler Parsons today congratulating me on my decision. It feels like a family."

Walker said he had interst from Villanova, Illinois, Tennessee and the local contingency in the New York metro area.