Maurice Walker has spent most of the summer becoming familiar with the recruiting process that top level high school basketball players in the United States deal with each year. The process is still somewhat unfamiliar to the Toronto, Canada native, but Walker appears to be adjusting to life as a top recruit quite well. With only about 10 days left before making the move away from home, Walker hopes that the year he will spend at Brewster Academy (NH) helps him grow on and off the court.
“I’m excited,” Walker said of his move to Brewster Academy. “I don’t really like being away from home, but I think it will be good for me. My parents think so too. It will help in getting me ready for what’s coming a year from now,” Walker added.
Walker won’t only be preparing for life away from home; he will have an opportunity to work on all aspects of his game throughout the year. Walker will also be playing for one of the more impressive basketball programs in the northeast. Kansas fans will remember Brewster Academy for producing current Kansas freshman Thomas Robinson. Like Robinson, Walker is hoping to develop his game on the court with the help of Brewster head coach, Jason Smith.
Walker was quick to answer when asked what he thinks he needs to work to improve the most on the court.
“My athleticism and conditioning,” said Walker of what he needs to continue to improve.
However, Walker has plenty of reasons why he’s one of the highest ranked centers in the 2010 class.
“My size and my presence,” Walker said. “I’m good at finishing around the basket and setting up my teammates. I’m a good passer, and I’m good at changing shots,” added Walker.
All reason why coaches around the country have noticed the big man from Canada. Walker’s current list of potential colleges consists of Kansas, UCONN, Georgetown, Texas A&M, Marquette and Pitt, where he visited a couple of weeks ago.
“I liked it,” Walker said of his Pitt visit. “I liked what they have to offer, but I’m going to keep my options open,” added Walker.
One of the options for Walker is the Bill Self-led Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas is a school that Walker is interested in, but has had trouble getting his schedule to match up with the Kansas staffs’ schedule.
“We’ve tried to schedule a visit, but when they have an opening on their schedule I don’t have one on mine,” said Walker. “We’re still working it out but I it will probably happen during the school year,” added Walker.
Although Walker hasn’t spoken to the Kansas staff himself, his father has. According to Walker, his dad has had some positive things to say about the Jayhawks.
“He said to keep them (KU) on my list for sure,” Walker said. “He liked what the coach had to say about them,” Walker added.
Although Walker is new to the high school and college basketball scene in the United States, the Jayhawks are a program that Walker has paid attention to over the past few years.
“I’ve watched them in the tournament the last couple years,” Walker said of the Jayhawks. “It’s a good school,” added Walker of Kansas.
Walker does plan on making visits before making any kind of decision on where he will attend college. One of those visits will take place close to his new home of New Hampshire.
“I’m trying to arrange a UCONN visit,” Walker said. “My dad was gonna go, but with it being so close to where I’ll be, he said for me just to visit,” added Walker.
Walker is also hoping to set up trips to Georgetown, Texas A&M and Marquette as well as Kansas. It’s after those, yet to be set up trips, that Walker hopes to make a decision on where he will attend college.
