UM’s Lonnie Walker IV commits to the draft.
UM freshman likely to be first-round pick
Ahead of the NCAA Tournament, Miami Hurricanes freshman Lonnie Walker IV — a projected NBA lottery pick — said his focus was on helping UM compete for a national championship — not his professional future.
Now that the college basketball season has ended, so too, has Walker’s career as a Hurricane.
Walker, a freshman who was Miami’s leading scorer this past season, announced Wednesday he was entering the NBA draft and would be hiring an agent to guide him through the process.
“The University of Miami exceeded my expectations. From school, sports, the environment and last but not least, the Canes fans. This city has welcomed me with open arms and supported me at my lowest of the lows, but also my highest of highs,” Walker said in a statement he posted on Twitter. “I made friends and memories that will last a lifetime and can’t thank anyone but the
man above for giving me such an amazing opportunity.
“I thank the coaching staff and [my] teammates for for helping me enhance my skills on the court, but also challenging me off the court
to be the best person I can be. I want to thank my family for the sacrifices they’ve made throughout the years. Without my family, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. And now on April 4th, 2018, I’m here making a decision that I thought would never come true. After reviewing my options with family and coaches, I’ve decided
to enter the 2018 NBA Draft and will hire an agent.”
Walker’s decision isn’t unexpected.
A former McDonald’s AllAmerican and Jordan Brand Classic All-American, Walker arrived at Miami with high expectations and was projected as potential first-round NBA draft pick. Two and a half months
ahead of the draft, that still stands, with the site NBAdraft.net projecting Walker to go to Phoenix with the 14th pick.
Walker finished his lone season at Miami as the Hurricanes’ leading scorer averaging 11.5 points and 2.6 rebounds. He was the first Miami freshman to earn honorable mention All-ACC
honors and was voted to both the All-ACC Freshman Team and the All-ACC Academic Team.
Three times this past season Walker earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors and he started 18 of Miami’s 32 games.
He is the third Hurricane to announce he was entering the draft following sophomore
teammates Bruce Brown and Dewan Huell.
Brown and Huell, however, have announced they were not hiring agents, allowing each of them to test the NBA waters and still retain their college eligibility.
Between them, Walker, Huell and Brown were the Hurricanes three leading scorers.