Recruiting report: Derrick Walker (2016)
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — After a year spent competing at Sunrise Academy, 2016 forward Derrick Walker is showcasing his game this offseason with MoKan Elite 17U. A native of Kansas City, the 6-foot-8, 210-pound Walker is an active big man who…
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Continue ReadingBENTONVILLE, Ark. — After a year spent competing at Sunrise Academy, 2016 forward Derrick Walker is showcasing his game this offseason with MoKan Elite 17U.
A native of Kansas City, the 6-foot-8, 210-pound Walker is an active big man who has the ability to defend the post, rebound at a high level and finish around the bucket.
“I’m the motor guy, lots of energy, that gets guys going, am loud, and I play very hard on both sides of the floor,” Walker said.
He is being recruited by UMKC and Valaparso, and recently picked up an offer from Sienna.
“He has improved quite a bit from last year to this year,” MoKan head coach Rodney Perry said. “We are expecting Derrick to be a big-time leader for us. Michael (Porter) is probably our best rebounder, but Derrick is our second best rebounder. Plus he is going to do all the dirty work. He is going to defend, he’s going to rebound and pick up everybody’s mess off the glass.
“And he is going to finish around the rim. We are excited to have him back and he is more mature and understands now what it takes to be one of the best players in the country.”
Walker says he plans to reclassify and return to Sunrise for another year and be a part of the 2017 recruiting class.
“Doing a fifth year allows me to get more exposure but also gives me time to work on weak areas of my game that will allow me to come in as a freshman in college and immediately have an impact with the team,” he said. “Sunrise has allowed me to play against guys that are highly ranked and play on a national schedule so I’m playing against guys all over, which makes the competition level way better. Every time I step out on a court I know I have to play good because I never know who is watching.”
Walker is one of four Nike EYBL veterans on the MoKan Elite squad this spring and summer, playing alongside fellow Sunrise standout Bryan Trimble as well as five star recruits Michael Porter and Trae Young. He said the experience of playing with MoKan and the EYBL has helped take his game to new heights.
“The biggest thing about the competition during (the EYBL) is just playing hard and just doing the things you’re good at and not playing out of character,” he said.
Walker said Perry and his mother, Brandy Hunter, have been two of the biggest influences on his life.
“Without (Perry), I wouldn’t know about basketball the way I do today, he pushed me and believed in me,” he said. “And my mother is all I have and she sacrificed so much for me so every time I play, I play to make her proud.”
On the court, Walker says he looks up to LeBron James.
“He uses his strength to play, he kinda plays bully ball and I feel as if that’s how I play at times,” Walker said.