Prospect Name: Bill Walker
College: Kansas State
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6’5’’
Weight: 225 lbs.
Age: 20
2007-2008 Statistics: 16.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 46.5% FG, 30.7% 3FG

Key Strengths

• Extremely Explosive (When Healthy)
• Great Finisher
• Very Strong
• Good Rebounder
• Aggressiveness
• Work Ethic
• High Upside

Key Weaknesses

• Has Experienced Three Knee Tears
• Game Built Off Of Athleticism/Explosiveness
• Inconsistent Perimeter Jumper
• Could Improve Ball Handling
• Struggles Defending Quickness On the Perimeter
• Can He Stay Healthy?

Outlook: Prior to Walker’s continual knee troubles, he was regarded as a high lottery pick with serious star potential. He made terrific strides to bounce back from each setback, and finished the 2007-2008 season strong. In the early stages of the workout process, his trainers raved at his weight loss and commitment to diversifying his game. Weeks later, he tweaked his knee (recently reported as a strain) working out for the Golden State Warriors, thus hurting his draft stock.

A healthy Bill Walker is a terrific prospect, but his career will rest on his health alone. Will his knees hold up, or will they hold him back from becoming the high-impact player we all know he can be?

Fit With Celtics: If Bill Walker is available and Danny Ainge builds up the courage to take the risk on him, reactions will be mixed. The optimists will say “he’s got a real future, what a steal!” while the pessimists and realists will be thinking “this may be a wasted draft pick.” Should he recover and pan out, Walker is undoubtedly a steal late in the first round. However, it would be a real shame to see a talent like this get wasted, and he’s got as much of a chance of busting out as he does of overcoming his issues. With Tony Allen’s upside getting virtually shredded to pieces in front of Boston’s eyes last January, you’d imagine that Danny and the gang might be hesitant to take the risk on Walker. Only time will tell.

Coming Soon: Kyle Weaver (Washington State).

2 Responses to “Draft Possibilities: Bill Walker”

1. Celtics247.com » Blog Archive » Today’s Links 6/25 Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 9:29 am

   [...] Herald Hondo grew into legendary Havlicek Doc Rivers gives $55G shirt off his back for charity Sleepless in Seattle for Boston’s stellar sports scene Al Iannazzone’s mock draft Globe Grind hasn’t halted drive Pierce on Kimmel Live MetroWest Daily Draft debacle of last season is long forgotten CelticsBlog NBA Draft bullets Don’t call it a comeback Not knocking Kobe for this one LOY’s Place Random thoughts 6/25 Star Tribune McHale not sure if he will keep pick or trade it ESPN Sheriff wants Shaq’s badges back after Kobe rap The day innocence died Red’s Army In appreciation of the owners Perkisabeast Perk’s top ten Hoopsworld Rumors: Readying for the draft Kennebec Journal Garnett part of biggest 3 Bleacher Report Another busy offseason coming up for Danny Ainge GM’s make the most difference in the NBA Sporting News Rondo, Perkins on Team USA’s JV squad The Cud Of the Boston Celtics and a Grandmother’s orders Kentucky Wildcats Rajon Rondo is getting popular Sports of Boston Celtics pass with flying colors in 2007-08 Celtics player review: Scot Pollard Lex Nihil Novi Did Rivers outcoach the Zen Mistress? Bird, Celtics go up 2-0 over Atlanta Dirk and KG again Speaking of Dirk Let’s trade KG for Dirk 411 Mania Legacies and a draft list CelticsNews Draft possibilities: Bill Walker Draft possibilities: Jason Thompson Parquet Pride What does the draft mean for the Celtics? Shamrock Headband Trying not to be overly quixotic as the draft approaches [...]

2. bill walker : blog edvdbox Says:
   June 28th, 2008 at 9:20 am

   [...] Draft Possibilities: Bill WalkerFit With Celtics: If Bill Walker is available and Danny Ainge builds up the courage to take the risk on him, reactions will be mixed. The optimists will say hes got a real future, what a steal! while the pessimists and realists will … [...]

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