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.”
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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. 1Meet 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
