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Friday / March 29.
  • Freshman Focus: NBA Scouts Say Chris Walker Should Stay

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    Even though he has just made his college debut, Florida freshman forward Chris Walker has appeared on some Mock Drafts for 2014.

    ESPN’s Chad Ford has Walker going at No. 20 to the Boston Celtics, and also has Australian point guard Dante Exum going No. 4 to Boston.

    But multiple NBA scouts say the 6-foot-9 Walker should stay at least one more year.

    “He is a raw athlete that can run the floor, block a shot and dunk,” one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv. “He needs to develop an offensive game. Needs to stay another year.”

    DraftExpress.com has Walker — averaging 4.0 points and 1.5 rebounds for the No. 3 Gators — at No. 10 in the 2015 Mock Draft.

    He would then potentially join other elite high school big men like Duke-bound Jahlil Okafor, uncommitted Myles Turner and Kansas commit Cliff Alexander in that draft.

    “I think going into next year his name will be mentioned in the lottery but it depends on his skill development this summer,” the scout said.

    Added a second veteran NBA scout: “He’s a great athlete and will help Florida off the bench. Has outstanding physical tools. Raw on offense. Needs to learn the college game. Should stay in school and learn from the excellent coaching available under Billy Donovan.”

    “A top prospect next year.”

    ***

    Here’s a look at how other top freshmen are doing:

    **JOEL EMBIID 7-0 C, Kansas

    Stats: 10.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.6 blocks

    Next 3 games: Tonight at Kansas St., Saturday vs. TCU, Feb. 18 at Texas Tech

    Mock Drafts: Draft Express No. 1

    What to read: Joel Embiid now firmly entrenched at No. 1

     Meet Kansas’ Joel Embiid

     

    **ANDREW WIGGINS, 6-8 SF, Kansas

    Stats: 16.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.8 apg

    Next 3 games: Tonight at Kansas St., Saturday vs. TCU, Feb. 18 at Texas Tech

    Mock Drafts: Draft Express No. 2

    What to read: NBA still high on Wiggins despite lackluster play.

    A tale of two Canadians: Ennis succeeding at Syracuse, Wiggins adjusting at Kansas

     

    **JULIUS RANDLE, 6-9 PF, Kentucky

    Stats: 16.0 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.7 apg

    Next 3 games: Wednesday at Auburn, Saturday vs. Florida, Feb. 18 at Ole Miss

    Mock Drafts: Draft Express No. 4

    What to read: Magic, Jalen Say Randle Should be No. 1 Pick.

     

    **JABARI PARKER, 6-8 SF, Duke

    Stats: 19.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.3 apg

    Next 3 games: Wednesday at North Carolina, Saturday vs. Maryland, Feb. 18 at Georgia Tech

    Mock Drafts: Draft Express No. 3

    What to read: NBA Assistant: Jabari Parker Would Help Multiple Playoff Teams This Year.

    Duke’s Parker Can Envision Playing with Okafor Next Year

     

    **AARON GORDON, 6-9 PF, Arizona

    Stats: 11.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.6 apg

    Next 3 games: Friday at Arizona St., Feb. 19 at Utah, Feb. 22 at Colorado

    Mock Drafts: Draft Express No. 8

    What to read: Guard Play has Arizona Poised for Big March.

    Coach K: ESPN is Overhyping the Diaper Dandies

     

    **TYLER ENNIS, 6-2 PG, Syracuse

    Stats: 11.8 ppg, 5.7 apg, 3.3 rpg

    Next 3 games: Wednesday at Pittsburgh, Saturday vs. N.C. State, Feb. 19 vs. Boston College

    Mock Drafts: Draft Express No. 9

    What to read: Melo Wants Tyler Ennis to Stay at Syracuse

     

    **For more stories on Andrew Wiggins, click here.

    Follow Josh Newman on Twitter

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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