Walker commits to Jaspers

Aaron Walker didn’t forget the first coach who believed in him. In October, before his standout high school senior season began, before college coaches began lighting up his phone, Manhattan College and Steve Masiello offered him a scholarship. On Tuesday afternoon, the Cardozo senior point guard verbally committed to the MAAC program, as first reported by The Post.

“After visiting [last week], I was ready to pull the trigger. My dad told me just wait, and be patient,” the Brooklyn native said in a phone interview. “I talked to him today. I said what are we waiting for? We have a great situation.”

Walker’s recruitment had just begun to heat up, with Canisius, Siena, St. Bonaventure, Wright State, Cincinnati and St. Joseph’s all calling, but Masiello made him a priority, personally attending several Cardozo games this winter.

“They were the most persistent,” the 6foot1 Walker said.

A Division I coach familiar with Walker — who has led Cardozo to the top seed in the upcoming PSAL Class AA playoffs, averaging 19 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game — thinks he will thrive in Riverdale. He could replace senior point guard Ra’Shawn Stores, and joins combo guard Nehemiah “Bud” Mack of Pennsylvania in Masiello’s 2016 recruiting class.

“Preseason MAAC Rookie of the Year,” the coach said, referring to the hardnosed Walker. “Will fit perfect in Manhattan’s system offensively and defensively. Ultimate competitor. He’s much better than he’s given credit for.

“He could’ve played highmajor for certain schools. Defensively, he can play anywhere in the country.”