Kansas State could be welcoming five-star recruit Bill Walker in December.

Michael J. LeBrecht/SI

There is a juicy follow-up to yesterday's Kansas State post: O.J. Mayo's former sidekick, Bill Walker, a five-star small forward from Cincinnati whom Bob Huggins has coveted since his days in the Queen City, could end up in Manhattan as early as this season.

 

Walker, of Cincy's North College Hill High School, has always been included as a member of the Class of 2007 -- he's ranked No. 6 overall by rivals.com and No. 8 by scout.com -- but the Ohio High School Activities Association ruled this summer his eligibility was exhausted. While Mayo (who is eligible) transferred home to Huntington, W.V., Walker remains at NCH as a fifth-year senior who, after winning two consecutive Division III state titles, isn't allowed to play basketball.

 

Now, according to reports on rivals.com and scout.com, Walker is attempting to graduate ASAP, take his SAT, pass the NCAA clearinghouse, and enroll in college as soon as December.

 

That college? Presumably Kansas State.

 

Connect the dots: Huggins met with Walker's family for an in-home visit this past weekend. Walker is scheduled to visit K-State on Sept. 23. And when Walker needed a lawyer to appeal his eligibility case in August, he used Richard Katz ... who also happens to be Huggins' lawyer.

 

Walker was unavailable for comment Wednesday (his people said Bill had gone "offline"), but it looks like the Wildcats are a near lock. The real question mark is if Walker can pull off this triple crown of accelerated academia -- graduation, SAT, NCAA -- in three and a half months.

Attend school there... but play this next year? Or was it talking about the following year?

Attend school there... but play this next year? Or was it talking about the following year?

Good question. He wasn't very clear on that...

Attend school there... but play this next year? Or was it talking about the following year?

In my opinion, it would have to be. It would be a waste to burn a year of eligibility coming in with no practice in December. Better to basically grey shirt and get a jump start in practice and academics.

In my opinion, it would have to be. It would be a waste to burn a year of eligibility coming in with no practice in December. Better to basically grey shirt and get a jump start in practice and academics.

 

My initial thought was this next season, but then I saw the December quote which made me think the writer was talking about the season after this.

 

But then I thought again... why would Walker care about how much eligibility he has, he's going to the NBA first chance.

My initial thought was this next season, but then I saw the December quote which made me think the writer was talking about the season after this.

 

But then I thought again... why would Walker care about how much eligibility he has, he's going to the NBA first chance.

 

Precisely, this is all him just trying to get into next year's NBA draft. It has nothing to do with wanting to go to college and play early. He's trying everything under the sun to get around the new age limit.

Precisely, this is all him just trying to get into next year's NBA draft. It has nothing to do with wanting to go to college and play early. He's trying everything under the sun to get around the new age limit.

If that's the case, then why enroll at KSU at all? Going to college has nothing to do with the age limit.

If that's the case, then why enroll at KSU at all? Going to college has nothing to do with the age limit.

 

I think you either have to be a year out of high school or have went to college for a year but it could be different. If he stayed the full year of high school this year then he would have to go a full year in college or play in the NBDA or europe or somewhere else and wouldnt be able to be in the 07 draft. Graduating early then playing a semester of college ball may be the way around that. Thats the whole intention of going to KSU in december.

I think you either have to be a year out of high school or have went to college for a year but it could be different. If he stayed the full year of high school this year then he would have to go a full year in college or play in the NBDA or europe or somewhere else and wouldnt be able to be in the 07 draft. Graduating early then playing a semester of college ball may be the way around that. Thats the whole intention of going to KSU in december.

There is nothing in the age restriction language about college.

There is nothing in the age restriction language about college.

 

Well you have to be a year removed from high school. If he didnt graduate in December then he would have to wait til the spring and that would mean no Draft next year. But if he graduated in december and played a semester of college ball then he may be able to get around the rule and get in the draft next year. Its all about trying to get around the rules.

From what they said on TV tonight, Walker is attempting to be able to attend K-State and play THIS season, THIS December.

If that's the case, then why enroll at KSU at all? Going to college has nothing to do with the age limit.

 

Possibly for exposure? More TV time in college.

If true, does anyone see a transfer to Manhattan High School in Walker's future. It only makes sense b/c perhaps he could attend practice in order to get ahead of the game. If he is trying for this it only makes sense.

It looks like Bill will not finish middle school or high school. Or did he finish middle school twice and not high school? Or will a GED get him on scholarship? Or has life taught him enough lessons? So many variable and so many options, here's a thought if he doesn't qualify academically, can he join the And1 tour for a year and then try to hook up with an NBA team. OH BABY.

It looks like Bill will not finish middle school or high school. Or did he finish middle school twice and not high school? Or will a GED get him on scholarship? Or has life taught him enough lessons? So many variable and so many options, here's a thought if he doesn't qualify academically, can he join the And1 tour for a year and then try to hook up with an NBA team. OH BABY.

If you're correct, then he'll have to have a nickname. Skip-to-my-loo is already taken, though with his transferitis, that would have been a good one.