Don’t look now but Billy Donovan has done it again.
Just a month after corralling two of the top transfers in college basketball, the Florida Gators head coach has hauled in another impressive catch, earning a commitment from five-star power forward Chris Walker (Bonifay, FL) on Sunday morning.
The top remaining target on Donovan’s recruiting board and one of two players the coach honed in on gaining a commitment from in the 2013 recruiting cycle, Walker chose Florida over Kansas, Kentucky and Louisville. He is listed as the No. 6 overall player in his class by Rivals and the No. 7 player in the nation by ESPN.
Walker surprised fans early Sunday morning when he wrote on Twitter that he would be making his decision at 8 a.m. He made good on that promise by officially announcing his commitment to the Gators via video on the website Home Team Hoops (see below).
“I will be playing college basketball for the University of Florida – the Florida Gators there in Gainesville, FL – and I will be teaming up with my teammate of my AAU squad Kasey Hill. And together we will be the best duo in college and we will win a national championship. You heard it here first.”
His pledge landed Donovan a second huge name for 2013 with the coach’s first coup being five-star point guard Kasey Hill (Clermont, FL), who helped Florida end 2011 with a bang by committing on New Year’s Eve. Hill and Walker are close friends and AAU teammates and have often spoken about playing together in college.
I made this choice from my heart, n i wanted to go to a team that ima get better as a player and a indivisual, we WILL make it to final 4 .
— Chris Skywalker (@cwalkertime23) July 22, 2012
With Walker now in the fold, the Gators have the No. 6 and 7-ranked players in the 2013 class according to both Rivals and ESPN (rankings flip-flopped). Both can sign their National Letters of Intent as early as Nov. 14-21 (early signing period).
Seeing as three seniors are set to graduate following the 2012-13 season, Florida has space for at least one more potential commitment this cycle with no additional attrition.
Hill (No. 1) and Walker (No. 23) at the Adidas Invitational:
More videos of Hill and Walker playing together…after the break!
Hill and Walker showing off their teamwork:
Hill dishing to Walker for a slam:
Check out more great videos from Home Team Hoops.
I’m amazed how Donovan continues to bring in this caliber of talent. I’m so thankful he’s our head coach.
Whoo! Super pumped about this guy. We’re gonna be scary good season after next.
I’ve said this many times over the years as have others. COACH DONOVAN IS THE GREATEST COACH IN GATOR ATHLETIC HISTORY!
Huge get, literally.
Lose the shaved eyebrow kid, that’s for punks.
People said the same about Noah’s hair. Just be you Chris… and welcome to the Gator Nation.
Nice get. Been waiting for the next big time big man since P Young.
Awesome. Two big time in state kids.
Thats huge now need a sg and that class will be off the chain. Go Gators
like to see his spelling improve.Would help him a lot going to college