Throwback: An Interview with Lonnie Walker

Photo courtesy of Position Sports/Nike.

By David Cordova

Preface

This interview on five-star prospect Lonnie Walker of Reading, Pennsylvania, was originally featured on Gotham Hoops back in the summer of 2015 at the Big Strick Classic.

An Interview with…….Lonnie Walker

The basketball scene in Philadelphia is very popular. The players from that area are very tough and always come to compete. However, there is one player from a place an hour away from the City of Brotherly Love that has risen from obscurity and has played his way into the national rankings.

Lonnie Walker, a 6-5 guard out of Reading High School in Reading, PA has made so much noise on the national scene playing with Team Final on the Nike EYBL, that he is ranked No. 12 in the country in the class of 2017. He is a slasher when going to the basket and also has a knack when going to the basket and can score from many spots on the court.

His dominant play on the AAU circuit has earned him offers from schools such as Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon, Stanford, Holy Cross, Indiana, Maryland, Providence, SMU, California, Miami and local area schools such as Penn State, Villanova and Temple.

Here’s the Q & A with Lonnie Walker:

When did you first start playing basketball?

When I was 5-6 years old. My dad always put me in position to play ball. Whenever he was around coaching kids, he’d always want me to play up. Anytime someone used to call me up, he’d let me play with other people.

When did you decide that you were going to take the game serious?

When I turned 11-12 years old. I was really in love with the game, I always practiced, I always played. I never had anything negative come towards me, it was always positive and I just always wanted to take over the game.

What’s the basketball culture like in Reading? People always talk about basketball in Philly, but what’s it like in Reading?

It’s very intense. My high school coach doesn’t get much appreciation, but he’s a great coach and knows a lot about the game and always has us practicing and trying to make us get better. But it’s always intense and there’s always competition.

What drives you to be successful in the game of basketball?

Just to be one of the greatest players to come out of the state of Pennsylvania, period or even the United States. I just want to be the best and that’s what drives me.

How do you feel about being invited to a prestigious event such as the Big Strick Classic?

It’s a blessing to be given the opportunity to play against a lot of great players from across the country. Not too many people get the opportunity to play.

How do you feel about your recruitment so far? What schools have been talking to you the most?

Ohio State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Indiana, Miami, Alabama, Arkansas, Syracuse and California that have been reaching out to me the most. I feel great about the recruitment process, it’s a blessing.

How did you feel about your performance on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer?

I played on the 17U level. It was a great opportunity. The class of 2016 has a lot of well-developed players. Most of them are going Division I, so going up against the best players showed where I stood and how I played and where my competitiveness is. Playing in that age group helped my stock and helped my name go up across the nation.

Do you feel content with where you’re at or do you feel like there’s more to accomplish?

There’s a lot to accomplish. I’m only 16 years old. You can never be content with your game. You can always get better.

What’s next in the future for Lonnie Walker?
Rankings, standings, choosing the college that I go to. And if I get the opportunity to go beyond college, we’ll see.

Prologue

In his junior year, Walker continued to dominate and continue to be a staple in the state of Pennsylvania, averaging 20.3 points per game and led the Red Knights to a 28-4 record and a berth in the PIAA Class 4A state semifinals.

Once again, he suited up for Team Final in the Nike EYBL and led them to a 10-6 record and an appearance at the Nike Peach Jam, while averaging 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and three assists per game.

Now ranked the No. 19 recruit in the Class of 2017 by ESPN, Walker has now cut list of schools to five: Syracuse, Kentucky, Miami, Arizona & local favorite Villanova. Now a senior, he has plans of winning a state championship and also choosing a school.

The main question is this: Will he stay in his home state and lead the defending national champions to greater glory once he steps on campus? Or will he go to either the desert, the Bluegrass state, The U or the school that is self-proclaimed as New York’s College Team? We will all find out the answer soon.

Highlights of Lonnie Walker: