Lynx’s Walker commits to UNLV
Pure shooting and passing abilities are easy to see while watching Lincoln County senior Dantley Walker play basketball.
UNLV coach Lon Kruger recognized something else in the undersized but dynamic point guard.
“Coach Kruger said that Dantley really reminded him of himself,” said Greg Walker, Dantley’s father. “He was from a small school in Kansas, he’s about Dantley’s size and wasn’t highly recruited. Kansas State gave him a shot, and he ended up starting as their point guard.”
Kruger offered Dantley Walker a scholarship Monday, and the 5-foot-10-inch state scoring leader orally committed to the Rebels on Tuesday.
Walker said he plans to embark on a two-year Mormon mission in August but that UNLV will hold his scholarship for the 2013-14 season.
After attracting interest from Brigham Young, Utah State, Weber State and several small schools during the recruiting process, Walker was pleasantly surprised that the Rebels’ coaches were the first to extend an offer.
“I thought I was going to end up somewhere in Utah, but UNLV came along and they offered,” Walker said. “I knew Coach Kruger and his staff liked me.
“It’s pretty much a dream come true. I’ve been a Rebel fan ever since I can remember. The Sweet 16 run (in 2007) with Wink Adams and Kevin Kruger, that was my favorite team.”
Walker plans to sign with UNLV when the spring signing period opens April 13. NCAA rules prohibit Kruger from commenting on unsigned recruits.
The Rebels’ future backcourt is beginning to take shape. Findlay Prep sophomore point guard Nigel Williams-Goss committed to UNLV on Dec. 15.
Local fans will have a chance to watch Walker in person this week. He leads Lincoln County (24-6) into a Class 2A Southern League semifinal against Agassi Prep at 8 p.m. Friday at Durango High School.
Walker has carved out a huge chunk of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association record book during his prolific four-year varsity career.
He is Nevada’s all-time leader in points (3,250) and assists (880) and leads the Lynx this season with averages of 35.6 points and 10.4 assists.
Though he plays in tiny Panaca, Walker garnered respect on the summer tournament circuit by playing for the Las Vegas Prospects before his junior year. Last summer, he played with a team in Utah.
His reputation has grown this season as Walker eclipsed 60 points in three games, including a state-record 73 in a win over Agassi Prep on Feb. 1.
Kruger recently reviewed that game tape, Greg Walker said, and was convinced to offer Dantley a scholarship.
“Everybody knows, including Dantley, he’s got to get bigger,” Greg Walker said. “He’s got a couple years where he can get better. He’ll get back late summer (in 2013) and they can decide if he’s ready to go. If they think he needs to redshirt, it’s fine with us.”
