Recruiting Report: Connor Walsh (2018)
When evaluating high school prospects, there are certain boxes that each player must check to determine their level. Athleticism, basketball IQ, overall skill and character off the floor are all crucial points of emphasis. For 2018 Boys’ Latin guard Connor Walsh, he checks all of those categories and has solidified himself as a Division II prospect at the least.
Walsh spent his spring/summer playing with the Jersey Shore Warriors and brought home multiple tournament championships. The 6’4 guard showcased his athleticism and smart play, which turned into an offer from Millersville University. Although that is his sole offer, Walsh told PrepHoops that St. Anselm, Stonehill and St. Thomas Aquinas are showing interest and one or two may be on the verge of offering as well.
For his senior season, Walsh will look to carry over his success in this past summer into the Lakers 2017-18 campaign. They return key core players that will help them catch some top teams by surprise.
“I would say that we haven’t had much of a change from last year,” Walsh claimed. “We’ve been growing and will trust each other a lot more this year. I think people are sleeping on us and we have a good enough team to finish top three in the conference.”
In terms of improvements from his junior season, Walsh has one specific thing in mind that the college programs were telling him he needed the polish.
“Definitely my jumpshot,” Walsh said. “I’ve been taking close to 300 shots a day ever since the season ended. I really want to improve in that level of my game. I definitely think I am a three-level scorer, I just wanted to further develop my efficiency with my outside shot.”
With this being Walsh’s senior season, he knows there needs to be ample improvement in other areas of his game to prepare for the collegiate level.
“Definitely defensively I want to be counted on to guard the best player on the other team and try to lock him down,” Walsh said. “I think that can show my athleticism and how dynamic I can be on the floor.”
I recently saw Walsh play and his feel for the game was evident immediately. He’s ultra athletic and plays with great energy on both ends. You’ll rarely see Walsh miss a play due to effort. Leadership wise, he’s always talking to his teammates and remaining positive no matter how the game in unfolding. At 6’4, Walsh has nice size to rise over defenders when shooting a jumpshot and he has good footwork when coming off screens or catching the ball trailing on the break as he pulls up. It’s no surprise that he shines brightest when out in the open floor when he can put his athleticism on full display.
Walsh is determined to make the Lakers a team that is talked about in the MIAA A Conference this season. Their 19-12 finish last year included some big wins over top teams that caught many by surprise, and now he wants to prove that it was no joke.