Chris Walker to join Florida Gators next week

By Adam Silverstein
December 4, 2013

There has been little positive news for the Florida Gators early in the 2013-14 campaign as an avalanche of injuries and suspensions wiped out the promise of roster depth the team believed it would have this season.

Fortunately for Florida, a major piece of the puzzle is about to come into place as two sources – one close to the player and another close to the program – told OnlyGators.com over the past few days that five-star forward Chris Walker (Bonifay, FL) is scheduled to join the Gators and report to the team for the first time next week for practice, no later than Saturday, Dec. 14.

Walker, a 2013 commitment who did not academically qualify to join the team in the fall, has completed his required coursework online and achieved the necessary grades for enrollment. He is in the process of being admitted to the University of Florida for the spring semester but is awaiting complete approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

That is expected to be a formality at this point with one source indicating he is already in the process of being academically cleared by the NCAA and accepted into UF.

Contrary to a report from ESPN’s Andy Katz on Monday that stated Walker was still working to earn an extra half of a credit that he needed, the player has been done with his academic work for weeks and is currently spending his days getting in shape while practicing on his own in nearby Ocala, FL.

It will be up to head coach Billy Donovan when Walker plays his first game with the Gators. He is expecting to start practicing with the team on Dec. 14. The first game after he joins the program will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 17 when Florida faces Memphis as part of the Jimmy V. Classic in New York NY.

When Walker does play, he will provide immediate depth in the frontcourt behind seniors Will Yeguete and Patric Young. It is unlikely he sees more than 10-15 minutes per game when Donovan first puts him on the court. His minutes would increase as he gets into the swing of things and becomes more familiar with the program.

20 Comments

  1. Ken says:

    Looks like he might be good at basketball. We can use that!

  2. Ryan says:

    wow this is great news! Chris Walker will be a STAR. This kid is the real deal and wow this gator team will be scary good when we get healthy,

  3. ga8or22 says:

    Excellent news with all the injury problems we have had.

  4. ld says:

    Go Chris! Can’t wait to see our Blue Devil playin some Gator ball! Only time I will say go Gators!

  5. Ken (CA) says:

    with his missing half the year, are they still expecting him to be one and done, or could we actually get for another year?

    • Another year is possible but much will be determined by how he plays.

    • steve says:

      No way he comes back, Before the year he pretty much was already declaring himself a one-and-done and even talked about talking to Billy Donovan about being a one-and-done before the year starts. Chad Ford has his ranked 14th best prospect saying that when he comes back he will most likely start moving UP the board some more. The suspension only showed more reasons for him to leave because who knows if he could maintain a college grade at Florida if he couldn’t maintain a high school grade. Kasey may stay but I have never seen any possibility for Chris Walker to stay.

  6. Ken (CA) says:

    Just imagine …Kasey Hill, chris Walker, Patric Young, Brad Beal, Dorian Finney Smith with backups of Wibekin, Yeguete, Prather, Walker, Frazier.

    Just imagine…..wow…..

    • steve says:

      You only added one player not on the team to the roster lol. Imagine Kasey Hill, Bradley Beal, Corey Brewer, Chris Walker, and Al Horford.

      • Ken (CA) says:

        that is because those that would currently have eligibility. without early exit, that could be our roster in a week!

  7. JS says:

    Will when this be official? There is no time frame on the NCAA’s decision, right? Does anyone expect D. Harris to get out of the doghouse/join the team?

  8. TST says:

    this is great news . I’ve waited to see him in orange & blue . One and done i hope not . Hope he gets a trill with Florida and maybe enjoys education (yes , it has happen before). Every time Billy gets a hot hand they gone before we know them . Nothing like the college experience Chris ! Become a part of something bigger than you can image . Yes , i love Bird Johnson type BB , he can bring it !! Go Gators

  9. Joe says:

    YES!!! That is all.

  10. Skinney says:

    Adam, what are the chances Alex Murphy transfers to the Gators? We could use his size after these seniors graduate.

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