I have to say that I’m most excited about 5-8 PG Erving Walker among UF’s incoming recruits for the 2008-2009 season. Despite the fact that the 2007 iteration of the Gators featured only one traditional pivot player on the roster in Marreese Speights, I think that perhaps even more damaging was the lack of any backcourt depth.
I’m incredulous that fewer people have talked about this fact: In 2007, UF ran a 3-guard lineup with basically only 3 guards ON THE ROSTER, for an UPTEMPO team! Whenever Jai Lucas, Walter Hodge or Nick Calathes needed a rest, UF substituted in a forward, because that was all they had.
Despite the fact that UF desperately needs guards I’m impressed by his combination of the traditional “New York guard” toughness and quickness combined with something that players from that area don’t always have: tremendous shooting ability. In the clips I’ve seen of him, he has some shots — with normal form and rhythm — that are reminiscent of former Gator Teddy DuPay. He’s just simply raining jumpers from 25 to 30 feet and beyond on people.
Anyway, here are a few recent assessments of him by DraftExpress from his performances in the Jordan Classic in late April and the Albert Schweitzer tournament in early April:
Jordan Brand Classic Games (Day Three)
April 21, 2008
Aside from (Ryan) Pearson’s outstanding performance, the best player on the City Team appeared to be Florida-bound, 5’8 point guard Erving Walker (20 points, 11 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 steals, 5 rebounds, 6-18 FG, 2-10 3P) who happens to be Pearson’s teammate at Christ the King.
While short on size, Walker isn’t short on anything in the skill department, as he showed excellent ball-handling skills, having the ball on a string, mixing in advanced moves, and frequently penetrating into the lane to cut up the defense. He was the game’s leader in assists with 11, and frequently excelled on the drive and dish and in transition, looking unselfish for the most part, but knowing when to step up for a pull-up three-pointer, which he hit a few times in the game.
He also showed a nice floater, and despite his size, Walker is probably someone who should be able to help the Gators out if he can crack their point guard depth chart, which is a bit cramped at the moment with Nick Calathes and Jai Lucas.
2008 Albert Schweitzer Tournament: Watered Down Mannheim
April 2, 2008
We have to insist on Walker, the heart and soul of this squad. Rightfully selected for the All-Tournament Team, he was spectacular for many stretches, running, passing and scoring, sometimes at will, just providing the fuel his team needed to remain competitive in most games.
Extremely small (he looks way shorter than the 5-10 he’s listed), Walker relies on his impressive quickness and great ball-handling. Like a devil set on fire, he would drive past anyone, sneak between defenses, to find layups –that he netted with both hands- or force defensive rotations that would leave his teammates open, especially behind the three-point line, where they would receive his kick-out passes. He’s a tough guy, really strong, ready to bump into any opponent and able to play even off contact while maintaining nice control of his body.
Still Walker showed a very nice shooting ability to compliment his slashing efforts. Almost money in the bank when left open, he showcased three-point range and off-the-dribble mechanics, even from deep positions, with a nicely quick release, although he often forced too much, which ended up affecting his percentages.
On the negative side, besides his obvious lack of size, Walker shows limitations running a team It basically comes down to the point that he needs to first beat his match-up off the dribble in order to get anything going, that is, unless he can find space to shoot from the perimeter.
Anyway, expect him to emerge as an important point guard in college basketball with the Florida Gators, with some chances to make it to the NBA as a sparkplug guy in someone’s rotation after four years.