Bill Walker

10/29/06:
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/15876124.htm

10/25/06: "Walker, who was high school teammates in Cincinnati with another touted prospect in O.J. Mayo, has been admitted to the (Kansas State) university, but as of Wednesday morning he had not enrolled in classes, said Pat Bosco, associate vice president/dean of student life at K-State."
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15845595.htm

10/24/06:
http://www.draftexpress.com/blogs.php?blogid=9
"This now eliminates any doubt as to Walker's availability to be selected in the 2007 NBA Draft, as it has been established that his original high school graduating class was 2006 and he will have a year of college basketball under his belt."

10/23/06: ESPN's Andy Katz reports that former North College Hill star Bill Walker has earned a qualifying test score and his paperwork is with the NCAA Clearinghouse. If he is cleared, he's expected to play basketball for Kansas State in the spring semester. Walker is ineligible to play his final season of high school ball and is trying to graduate early. - via Groeschen at the Enquirer

09/20/06: Walker attempts to graduate early

09/17/06: "Bill Walker is hoping to graduate early from North College Hill and possibly play college basketball as early as this season. . . .NCH athletic director Joe Nickel said Walker is working on some courses in an attempt to get his core credits in order, graduate and pass the standardized test. Once Walker graduates and is passed through the NCAA Clearinghouse, he could be eligible to enroll at an NCAA Division I school, maybe even by mid-December. "Bill and his family have worked something out with our principal, and I don't know if there's a date that this will be set," Nickel said. "He's a very intelligent young man, so getting the grades and test score shouldn't be a problem." - Groeschen, www.Enquirer.com

09/13/06: "if Walker were to finish his coursework, he could graduate early. If he were to graduate early, he could potentially enroll in the college of his choice -- and play basketball. . . .Walker, a 6-foot-6 small forward who is supposed to be making a visit to K-State on Sept. 23, might be attending school at Kansas State as soon as the fall." - Wichita Eagle

09/08/06: "DeJuan Blair and (DJ) Kennedy will join K-State commitment Michael Beasley, junior college point guard Marcus Thornton and the nation's sixth-ranked prospect, Bill Walker, as official visitors that weekend (Sept 23).

08/20/06: Listed as the 12th best player in his class. - USAToday/PrepStars.com

08/17/06: Tom Groeschen's blog continues with more updates.
http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/

08/16/06: Walker had his appeal denied.
Updates on Groeschen's blog.

08/15/06: Listed as the 3rd best player in his class. - www.PrepHoopsOnline.com

08/08/06: "I talked to Bill a while ago, and I think he'll be committing to K-State in the next couple of weeks" - Michael Beasley through RivalsHoops.com article.

08/08/06: For the first time since before his sophomore season, North College Hill star O.J. Mayo is not on top of the Rivals150 for the class of 2007. . . .the biggest news is that Mayo is no longer ranked the No. 1 player in the country. Instead, that honor goes to Oak Hill Academy power forward Michael Beasley, who has committed to Bob Huggins' K-State Wildcats.

According to Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer, three players competed for the No. 1 spot. Beasley, Erik Gordon, a two-guard from Indianapolis, and Derrick Rose, a point guard from Chicago. Mayo is No. 5 and North College Hill teammate Bill Walker is No. 6 in the new ratings. They had been Nos. 1-2, respectively, in previous Rivals.com ratings." - Groeschen, Enquirer.com and www.RivalsHoops.com

08/07/06: The latest from Groeschen, Enquirer.com
http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/2006/08/mayonch-transfer-rumors.asp

08/02/06:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/439922p-370604c.html

08/01/06: "North College Hill stars O.J. Mayo (tournament MVP) and Bill Walker led the D-1 Greyhounds to the 2006 AAU Junior boys’ basketball 17-under national championship Tuesday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. In the title game, Walker scored 28 points and Mayo had 22 as the Ohio-based Greyhounds beat the Boo Williams Summer League team (Hampton, Va.) 73-49." - Groeschen, Enquirer.com

07/26/06: The attorney for former North College Hill basketball star Bill Walker believes the player can win an appeal to regain his eligiblity for the 2006-07 season, Walker's would-be senior year.

Cincinnati lawyer Richard Katz, whose clients include former University of Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins (now Kansas State coach), will represent Walker in an appeal hearing Aug. 10 before the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Control in Columbus. "We expect to be successful," Katz said Tuesday. "We think there are some serious issues in our favor." - www.Enquirer.com

07/23/06: "Manny Jackson of the Harlem Globetrotters was in the crowd for games involving Mayo, Walker, Love, Rose and Gordon. When the president of the world's most famous traveling team is in the stands it doesn't go unnoticed and is certainly some food for thought." - www.Scouthoops.com

07/12/06: More from Groeschen at Enquirer.com -
Former North College Hill basketball star Bill Walker should be eligible for the 2007 National Basketball Association draft, a prominent sports law attorney says. Michael McCann, part of the legal team that represented Ohio State football running back Maurice Clarett in his unsuccessful legal challenge of the National Football League's age restriction two years ago, said he would be happy to help represent Walker in a potential case against the NBA.

The NBA says Walker won't be eligible for its draft until 2008, based on the league's collective bargaining agreement language. "Bill Walker should be eligible for the 2007 draft, and I think the NBA would be mistaken to contest it," McCann said Wednesday. "The NBA would open up a can of worms that will be difficult to close." (see article for more)

07/11/06: "Bill Walker insists he will return to North College Hill High School for his senior year as a student, despite being declared ineligible to play basketball for the Trojans in the 2006-07 season.

Walker, in a brief telephone interview Tuesday with the Enquirer, also ruled out attending a prep school for the coming season. "I'm a student at North College Hill first, and that's where I plan to be next year," Walker said Tuesday. "I plan on staying and getting my 4.0 (academics) together." - Groeschen. More at www.Enquirer.com


07/10/06: "Walker, according to multiple sources, likely will choose Kansas State and new coach Bob Huggins." - Andy Katz, ESPN.com

07/10/06: It is unclear what Walker will do but he does have options. One of them, assuming he has the core classes completed and other facets of college eligibility is to go straight to college. Another option, for either athletic or academic reasons, is to attend a non-OHSAA school, like a prep school, and play one last year as a high schooler. It is also possible that his NBA Draft eligibility 'clock' has been kicked ahead by a year if he is now "out of high school" as the NBA rule requires. - Mike Ryan

07/10/06: Walker ruled ineligible for his senior season

07/09/06: "Bill Walker finally decided it was time to get serious on the second day of team-play at the ABCD Camp in Teaneck, New Jersey. The West Virginia native dominated highly-regarded and Duke bound Taylor King. Walker electrified the crowd with his usual acrobatic and power moves leaving any would be defender in his wake." - www.ScoutHoops.com

07/07/06: "There will be no verdict announced today in the Bill Walker eligibility case, OHSAA assistant commissioner Bob Goldring said.

Goldring said an announcement probably will be made Monday as to whether Walker, who is rated by Rivals.com as the nation’s No. 2 high school player in the class of 2007, will be able to play basketball for North College Hill in the 2006-07 season."
- Tom Groeschen, www.Enquirer.com

07/07/06: North College Hill star O.J. Mayo has not committed to play basketball at Southern California, as some reports indicated this week. But Mayo said Thursday that USC is first on his list of potential colleges. Mayo, who this week is playing at the Reebok ABCD summer camp in Teaneck, N.J., told a New Jersey reporter Thursday that he also is considering Florida and Kansas State.

"Me and Bill are still looking at Florida and K-State," Mayo told the Herald News (West Paterson, N.J.). "But USC is first on my list, and then K-State and Florida."
- Tom Groeschen, www.Enquirer.com

07/06/06: "The stature of USC basketball could take a major leap forward this week, because guard O.J. Mayo, the nation's No. 1-ranked player, is expected to commit to the Trojans, according to sources.

Mayo told several USC players and recruits last week he would officially commit to the Trojans during this weekend's ABCD basketball camp in Teaneck, N.J. And it could be a package deal, because Mayo, who lives in Cincinnati, wants to bring high school teammate, Bill Walker, the No. 2 player in the nation by Rivals.com, and center Aaron Pogue of Dayton, Ohio. Mayo's commitment would shake up college basketball and give USC a national image in a sport usually overshadowed by football." - LA Daily News

06/30/06: There is another update on Walker on Groeschen's blog again today - http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/

06/26/06: "The OHSAA probably won't rule on Walker's eligibility for the 2006-07 season until at least July 5, OHSAA assistant commissioner Debbie Moore tells me." - Tom Groeschens blog
http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/

06/24/06: "I want O.J. and Bill to come to K-State," Beasley said. "I know it's not likely to happen but it's a dream and I'd like them to come." - Michael Beasley, after he committed to Kansas State. www.ScoutHoops.com

06/20/06: Listed as the 6th best player in his class. - www.HoopScoopOnline.com

06/10/06: "But if you didn't know who O.J. was you probably would've thought Walker was the No. 1 player in the country." Walker, a 6-foot-5 rising senior who is teammates with Mayo at North College Hill in Ohio, scored a team-high 29 points, which included some you-had-to-see-it-to-believe-it caliber dunks. In all Walker had 11 field goals in the game and eight of them were slams." - Gwinnett Daily Post

05/19/06: Ranked #7 in his class by www.ScoutHoops.com

05/13/06: OHSAA looks at Walker's eligibility

05/11/06: Ranked #2, behind Mayo, in his class by www.RivalsHoops.com

05/04/06: Good update from Groeschen

05/02/06: "I've always wanted to play for Coach Huggins, ever since I moved to Cincinnati," Walker said. I like his coaching staff and the way he gets the most out of his players. They are in the running too. (snip) "I promised my mom that I would go to college and get a degree and be something in life. That's pretty much the only option." - ScoutHoops.com

04/20/06: Beasley also had an interesting update about the top two junior prospects in the nation: O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker of North College Hill in Cincinnati, who've been rumored to be coming to K-State in 2007. "I talked to Bill," Beasley said, "and he said if I do it (go to K-State), he'll do it. O.J.'s still thinking about it. I think with all of us there, we could make history." - KC Star

03/30/06: Walker was named to a Parade All America Team
http://all-americans.parade.com/2006_boy_basketball/2006_boys_basketball.html

03/25/06: "Bill Walker, the backbone of North College Hill's second consecutive championship, is the outstanding player on the 2006 Associated Press Division III all-tournament team. Walker, a 6-foot-6 junior who was first-team all-state, scored 45 points while hitting 17-of-28 shots from the field in the Trojans' two victories. He also had 23 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocked shots. He was joined on the team by teammates O.J. Mayo and Andre Evans. Mayo, the two-time Mr. Basketball, scored 34 points and had eight rebounds and seven assists in NCH's 90-73 victory over Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph on Saturday in the championship game." - Assoc Press

03/24/06: Bob Huggins is the new head coach at Kansas State and Mick Cronin is the new head coach at Cincinnati.

Cin. N. College Hill 97, Versailles 52 DAYTON, Ohio - Bill Walker scored 26 points and reigning Mr. Basketball O.J. Mayo added 25 to lead defending Division III state champion Cincinnati North College Hill to a 97-52 win over Versailles in a regional final Saturday.
Versailles (20-5) took a 2-0 lead 23 seconds in on a layup by Tony McNeilan, but the Trojans (24-1) responded with a 26-5 run to make it 26-7 at the end of the first quarter. Mayo scored 13 points in the quarter including a 3-pointer as time expired. The Trojans scored 19 fast-break points in the quarter. The Tigers got no closer the rest of the way and trailed by as many as 50. North College Hill scored 54 points in the paint, 25 of them on fast breaks, and shot 69 percent from the field. Mayo shot 9-for-12 and Walker finished 11 of 14. North College Hill outrebounded Versailles 39-22 and nine players scored at least four points. - Assoc Press


02/13/06:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060213/SPT0301/602130375/1078

01/31/06: Bucknuts has an article that says that Walker's eligibility may be in question for next season. No decision has been made by NCH or the OHSAA but the possibility is there, according to the article.

"North College Hill junior forward Bill Walker, who averages over 20 points a game and is one of the top prospects in the country, might not be able to play his entire senior season, according to sources."

Go to www.JJHuddle.com for the full story (reg req'd).

01/08/06: NCH vs Canton McKinley from Prep Hoops Online

12/27/05: Tommy Amaker from Michigan attended the Compton Dominguez - NCH game, per www.PrepSpotlight.com

12/27/05: "It almost seems like he's coming down from the ceiling. He gets higher up there than anything I've ever seen." - Harvard-Westlake (CA)HS boys' basketball coach Greg Hilliard on North College Hill of Cincinnati junior Bill Walker.

12/23/05: "Mayo, the high school phenom from Cincinnati North College Hill more than lived up to his billing Thursday night at Cerritos College, scoring 30 points in an 89-62 victory over North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake. But it was Walker, a fellow junior for the Trojans who wowed the crowd with thunderous dunks and complete control of the paint, which also included Harvard-Westlake center Alex Stepheson, a North Carolina bound senior.

Walker, ranked No. 2 in the nation in his class behind Mayo, finished with 34 points and 15 rebounds. His three highlight reel dunks in the third quarter helped North College Hill outscore Harvard-Westlake, 24-18, and take a 63-47 lead." - LA Times

12/20/05: North College Hill wins big over St Xavier HS 87-49. Tubby Smith attends the game. - Mike Ryan

12/11/05: Mayo, Walker lead team to 104-point win
Huntington Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker came back home for the second time in two years and gave the packed Veterans Memorial Field House crowd plenty of dunks and highlights to drop their jaws about in a 104-point victory over Wellston on Saturday.

The top-ranked juniors in the nation and Huntington natives combined for 20 dunks in only three quarters of play in a
138-34 win for North College Hill (3-0). Mayo scored a game-high 33 points, and Walker had 18 while battling leg cramps, neither played the entire fourth quarter.

That didn't stop the two from staying after the game to sign autographs for hundreds of kids, fans and players from one of the three other teams to play in the second annual Border Battle.

12/9/05: From a Marshall message board -
"I'm listening to SportsTalk here on WIRO and Paul Swann has OJ Mayo and Bill Walker on. Swann asked Mayo about the rumors of him and Walker coming to Huntington to play for the Herd. Mayo said 'Marshall is still one of our main focuses.' He then said that the two always had dreams of leading Marshall to a National Championship. Mayo said that he was still thinking about MU whether Huggins was here or not."

11/30/05:
Big article on the CNN SI website today.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/basketball/more/11/30/hs.extras/

Excerpt -
I heard a lot of speculation about where O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker will attend college, none of it from informed sources, but there was one rumor [repeat, this is a rumor. - ed.] so juicy it stood out. Bob Huggins was said to have the inside track on O.J. and Bill (they have said they will go to college together) before he was fired at Cincinnati. As has been reported, he continues to speak with the boys even though he is not recruiting them to a specific school. If he has any sway over them (and some speculate that he was the one who convinced O.J. and Bill's AAU coach to move them closer to Cincinnati) then he could use that as leverage in getting a new job.

Which school would appeal to Huggins as well as the boys? "How about Marshall?" speculated one person who said he has spoken to Huggins. "Huggins is from West Virginia and so are O.J. and Bill."

Current Marshall coach Ron Jirsa is entering only his second season and certainly deserves more time to turn around the program. But would Marshall dump him at the chance to grab Huggins with the understanding that, after one season, he would bring O.J. and Bill back home to Huntington? I hope not, as it would be a disservice to Jirsa, but if Huggins can indeed deliver O.J. and Bill, it will be interesting to see what schools line up to hire him. - CNN SI


10/27/05: "O.J. Mayo and the North College Hill boys' basketball team will play two-time defending USA Today poll champion Oak Hill Academy (Va.) on Saturday, Feb. 18 (8 p.m.) at US Bank Arena downtown. Taft will play Dayton Dunbar at 6:15 p.m. at US Bank Arena the same night, on the final weekend of the 2005-06 regular season. Ticket details should be announced by December. The NCH-Oak Hill game has been in the works since April, and NCH athletic director Joe Nickel today confirmed the final agreement." - Groeschen, www.Enquirer.com

10/16/05: "A local basketball coach, one with serious AAU connections, recently swore to me on a stack of Reeboks that O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker would have committed to the Cincinnati Bearcats had Bob Huggins not been ousted." - Groeschen, www.Enquirer.com

09/17/05: "we still think (Mayo and Walker) will end up playing for former Cincinnati head coach Bobby Huggins year after next." - HoopScoop (4 to 1)

08/23/05: "We thought Huggins and his staff had a great shot to get 7'0 Jason Bennett from Jacksonville (Arlington Country Day) FL in their current recruiting class and that they also would likely get 6'5 Jr O.J. Mayo from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH and 6'6 Jr Billy Walker from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH in next year's recruiting class." - www.HoopScoopOnline.com

08/17/05: "Indiana University's incoming freshman basketball players will be in action Monday at Milan High School. Ben Allen, Joey Shaw and Earl Calloway will be playing in the Indiana University Recruit Game presented by Indiana Elite AAU. The game will start at 7pm. Along with the three Hoosiers, high school juniors O.J. Mayo, Keenan Ellis and Bill Walker, all from Cincinnati's North College Hill, will also be playing." - www.MadisonCourier.com

08/17/05: Listed as the #2 player in his class. - www.RivalsHoops.com

08/12/05: Listed as the #4 player in his class. - www.ScoutHoops.com

08/11/05: "Anything within 10 feet of the rim . . . will automatically be dunked" - www.DraftExpress.com

08/01/05: "Walker takes athleticism to a whole new level. He makes Josh Smith, the NBA's reigning dunk champion and former ABCD superstar, look like a mediocre air artist." - www.RivalsHoops.com

08/01/05: "if you ever get the chance to check out Walker, be sure to do it. He threw down two of the best in-game dunks I've ever seen, both in the same game. I don't know if he's the best dunker on the planet, but he's definitely in the discussion." - SportsFan Magazine

07/30/05: "Cincinnati head coach Bob Huggins was here to watch 6'5 Jr O.J. Mayo from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH and 6'6 Jr Bill Walker from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH . . . " - www.HoopScoopOnline.com

07/27/05: "The game was neck-and-neck until about six minutes left in the game. Bill Walker caught the ball just in front of the midcourt line on the left side of the court. For reasons unknown to the rational people in attendance, the DW coach. . .called his defense back and allowed Walker to dribble out around 45 seconds with no defensive resistance. Keep in mind, this was still a tight game.
Eventually, Davon Jefferson took it upon himself to defend Walker one-on-one. Walker jab-stepped him right, crossed over Jefferson left (breaking his ankles in the process), took off with one foot outside the lane, soared for about 9-feet, and dunked it (with his left hand) on the state of Nevada. The crowd exploded." - www.NBADraft.net

07/27/05: "After a great tournament run Bill Walker slowed down a bit and wasn't the high energy guy we witnessed previously in the event." - www.RivalsHoops.com

07/26/05: "Walker was efficient all day. His (Vegas) tournament culminated in a 16-point effort on 6-9 shooting. He hit a high percentage all day long. When it comes to highlights, no one even comes close." - www.PrepStars.com

07/26/05: "The Cincinnati-based D1 Greyhounds advanced to the quarterfinals of the Big Time Tournament with an 89-66 victory against the New Mexico Force Gold. O.J. Mayo and Billy Walker led the Greyhounds with 19 points each and Deonte Vaughn had 17." - Cincinnati Post

07/23/05: "Bill Walker, high school basketball's resident freak athlete, came up with the nastiest dunk on top of Daequan Cook and it had the capacity crowd - notice we didn't say overflow as to not alert the fire marshal – buzzing." - www.ScoutHoops.com

07/16/05: Named 1st team All American, regardless of class. - www.HoopScoopOnline.com

07/16/05: "O.J. and Billy Walker could walk in as freshmen (in the fall of 2007, that is; both will be juniors next year) at any school and make you a Final Four contender immediately. If I had to bet, I'd bet they would commit to Cincinnati before the end of August. They didn't end up in Cincinnati (both are West Virginia natives who played high school ball in Kentucky before moving to North College Hill) by accident.

"But if Bobby Huggins is not there," continued Francis, "I guarantee you they're not going to Cincinnati. I know for a fact that O.J. and Billy told Bob Huggins at one point that if he had taken the West Virginia job, they would have gone with him. I really think Huggins could still end up at West Virginia in two years. Or let's say the Indiana job opens up. Huggins could be the coach there and bring Mayo and Walker with him.

"O.J. and Billy make Bobby Huggins pretty hot right now. It doesn't sound like he's too much of a lame duck to me. The best way to sum it up is that Bobby Huggins needs Cincinnati less than Cincinnati needs Bobby Huggins. Because a lot of people out there want to win." - Cincinnati Post

07/16/05: "Mayo and Walker -- who grew up in Huntington, W.Va. -- and Ellis list Cincinnati, Louisville and West Virginia as solid possibilities. But nobody -- including Pitt or Big Ten schools Penn State, Ohio State or Indiana -- has been ruled out. "Our families are getting ready to put together a list, and then we'll put it out," Mayo said. "I know I want to go to school, but I don't know about four years." The three players, considered NBA-caliber, were watched by West Virginia's John Beilein, Cincinnati's Bob Huggins, Indiana's Mike Davis, Pitt assistants and the crowds of more than 1,000 that packed every inch of floor space in WVU's Student Recreation Center." - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

07/11/05: Listed as the best SF at the Reebok ABCD Camp. - www.HoopMasters.com

07/11/05: "Bill Walker scored 24 points, and physically dominated at times with his ability to jump over defenders and catch lob passes and offensive rebounds seemingly out of position and still convert. (snip) He is one of the best athletes to come along in the last 10 years, and if his basketball skills ever catch up. . . .Well, let's just say the thought is downright frightening." - www.RivalsHoops.com

07/10/05: "the ABCD All-Star games were an up-and-down showcase of individual skills, so its no surprise that Bill Walker stole the show in the underclass game." - www.ScoutHoops.com

07/09/05: "Bill Walker of Cincinnati (Oh.) North College Hill followed up teammate OJ Mayo's list on Wednesday with one of his own. "Florida A&M, U-Conn, Syracuse, UC (Cincinnati), and West Virginia," Walker said. "Thats my list." Ohio State was not on the list as he said he did not wish to play for the Buckeyes. "Nope, Florida A&M, U-Conn, Syracuse, UC, and West Virginia. Thats who I'm looking at," he affirmed once more." - www.ScoutHoops.com (3 to 4)

07/09/05: Listed as the 4th best player at the ABCD Camp. - HoopScoop

07/09/05: "Bill Walker is a great, great player," Sonny Vaccaro said. "Don't let O.J.'s brilliance diminish Bill Walker. It's not fair." - NJ Star Ledger

07/08/05: "The North College Hill trio of Mayo, Walker and Keenen Ellis plans on attending college together -- but local recruiting power Ohio State appears to be fading off of their list after it landed its mammoth Class of '06." - CNN SI

07/06/05: "At the start I wasn't a fan of the (new NBA 19) rule because there are some kids good enough to go, but I don't look at myself as one of them. The people I worry about are O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker. They're good enough to go right now." - Greg Oden, in the Bergen County Record

07/04/05: Listed as the 5th best player in his class. - www.ScoutHoops.com

06/24/05: "He has really improved his jump shot inside the arc hitting with consistency around the 15-17 foot area." - www.HoopMasters.com

06/23/05: "(player) Duke Crews on Bill Walker's athleticism: "The way he jumps is not real. He took one step and jumped clear over Curtis Kelly's head." - www.ScoutHoops.com

06/17/05: Named Honorable Mention All American by Slam Magazine.

06/17/05: "Cincinnati, Indiana, Illinois, Texas. There are a lot" - www.RivalsHoops.com

06/12/05: "Walker registered a solid stat line as well, scoring 18 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, blocking 2 shots and getting 2 steals." - www.RivalsHoops.com

06/11/05: Bill Walker is heading into his junior year of high school, but the 6-6 small forward is already known in national basketball circles for his dunking. Just in case some might not know, he has one of his nicknames, "Sky Walker," tattooed on his right arm. He has other monikers as well, including the most recent, "Dirty McNasty," for the ferocity of his high-flying slams." - www.IndyStar.com

06/10/05: "While Mayo will only say that he's looking at Big East, ACC, Big 12 and Big 10 schools, Walker rattled off some schools of interest with a little prodding. He noted Cincinnati, West Virginia, Louisville, Texas, Wake Forest, North Carolina and UConn. But he made it clear that it was far from a final list." - CSTV.com

06/10/05: "Bill Walker, once again, dazzled with his mesmerizing athleticism and emerging midrange game. He scored 17 points on 8 of 12 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds. With his athleticism already well documented, the most impressive aspects of Walker's game were the passes and shots he made in the midrange area." - www.RivalsHoops.com

06/09/05: "If they put an age limit into the collective bargaining agreement that is supposed to be renegotiated this summer, then it's our guess that both of them will end up at the University of Cincinnati." - HoopScoop

06/07/05: "With the help of 21 points from Bill Walker (North College Hill HS / Cincinnati, Ohio) and 20 from Kyle Singler (South Medford HS / Medford, Ore.), the USA White Team (1-0) used a strong defense, hot shooting and an 18-0 second-quarter run to breeze past China (0-1) 112-59 in a game in which the Americans forced 25 turnovers and shot 58.8 percent from the floor. (snip) Walker scored his team high 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting and grabbed six rebounds to led six USA White players in double figures." - USABasketball.com

05/30/05: "We also found it extremely interesting that the first school mentioned by both 6'5 Soph O.J. Mayo from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH and 6'6 Soph Bill Walker from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH was the University of Cincinnati. Just imagine what would happen if they both made early verbal commitments to the Bearcats with the stipulation that they will come to Cincinnati only if Bobby Huggins is going to be their coach. Walker also mentioned Louisville, West Virginia, and Connecticut, plus he confirmed that the possibility of a package to the same school does exist." - HoopScoop

05/28/05: "What he does need to develop is some finesse with his game off the dribble. At this point, the head goes down, and it is either dunk, block, charge or turnover. Once he develops some midrange scoring moves, he will be a NBA ready small forward." - www.RivalsHoops.com

05/13/05: Invited to the 2005 Men's Youth Development Festival hosted by USA Basketball in San Diego from June 7-11th. - USABasketball.com

05/08/05: "In the prime time game against Sam Rines, there was no answer for Walker. He was simply too athletic, too strong and too explosive a leaper to be checked. He got where he wanted go and played hard." - www.ScoutHoops.com

05/07/05: Listed as one of the top 12 players in the state - Rick Bolus

05/07/05: "Walker, at 6-foot-6, is more athletic than Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks." - www.RivalsHoops.com

05/07/05: "Offensively, Bill is a wing player's worst nightmare to guard. (snip) Defensively, Walker does a great job boxing out and using his world class leaping ability to grab rebounds." - www.DraftCity.com

05/01/05: Here is the stat line I scribbled for Walker during a Sunday afternoon game at the Spiece tourney -
Dunk, dunk, 2pts, FT, dunk, dunk, block, reb, 2pt, reb, reb. First half total 13pts. Reb, dunk, reb, dunk, reb, reb, 2pt, steal, dunk, reb, 2pt, dunk, dunk. Final - 27 pts. - Mike Ryan, Spiece Tourney notes.

04/27/05: Mayo and Walker have been invited to the NBAPA Camp, according to the Middletown Journal.

"The all-expense paid camp will feature a staff that includes current and retired NBA players, former college coaches and some of the nation's best high school coaches. College scouts will not be in attendance. The purpose of the camp is for players to not only experience basketball at the highest level, but also learn the ins and outs of the real world as a budding athlete.

(James) Dews will be joined by North College Hill stars O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker, along with Dunbar standout Daequan Cook, who has already committed to The Ohio State University. "I know all of them are good, just like me," said Dews. . . " - Middletown Journal

04/25/05: "Despite being a 6-foot-5 power forward at this stage in his development, Walker is nearly unstoppable around the basket with his enormous wingspan and ridiculous athleticism. If Walker ever develops the game of a small forward, he will easily be a top five prospect. One sign of improvement in Walker's skill game is his 7 of 8 shooting from the foul line in this game." - www.RivalsHoops.com

04/24/05: "The 6-6 BF remains only marginal as a ball-handler, yet his shooting has improved and he now must be respected from more than five feet from the basket. But don't be fooled -- it's his eye-popping leaping ability and quickness off the floor that make him such a commodity. Walker blocks shots like a much bigger man and creates excitement anytime he leaves the ground for slams or finger rolls." - PrepStars.com

04/24/05: "Bill Walker has enormous athletic ability but did not put it to much use in this game, except for one dunk that gave the "hip hoppers" in the crowd something to awe about. He did very little in the half court offense, and he did not do much on the offensive boards. When he did pull down some nice defensive rebounds, he made no attempt to bust the ball up the court on the dribble and ignite the fastbreak. Instead, he held on to the ball, not even looking for the quick outlet." - RivalsHoops.com

04/20/05: Walker, Mayo, Huelsman and the Greyhounds play in the 250+ team Kingwood Classic this weekend. Results of play can be seen here-
http://www.visionsports.com/HKC/2005/hkc_home.html

04/19/05: "William Walker, 6-6 230, is the best athlete in the 2006 or 2007 class. Unreal ability to get off the floor and has now developed the game off the dribble to go with the hops. Walker plays with a physical enforcer mentality, but will step out and knock down the occasional jumper. Had several dunks that would have made Vince Carter proud." - OrangeBloods.com (Texas)

04/18/05: "the (Illinois) Wolves (AAU team) will host a tournament starring some of the top prep talent in the nation on May 7-9 at Bolingbrook High School and at the Chicago Bulls Training Academy in Lisle. "Greg Oden, the 7-footer, is coming," Johnson said of the prep-to-pro prospect from Indianapolis. O.J. Mayo and Billy Walker will be there, as well," Johnson said of a pair of highly-regarded sophomores from Ohio. Chicagoland's Derrick Rose, Jon Scheyer and Sharron Collins will also play at the event." - Peoria Journal

04/11/05: "Mayo and Walker teamed to lead their team to an undefeated record. Mayo used his sharp passing, sweet shooting, and dunks to get the attention of the fans. He has added close to 10 more pounds of muscle and grew an inch since last summer. We do not expect him to miss a beat this summer. Walker may have been the bigger crowd pleaser of the two. His thunderous dunks left fans wondering if Vince Carter had left the NJ Nets and joined the D-1 Greyhounds. He has added some more muscle and improved his ball handling and shooting. They are arguably the best duo in the country." - Breakdown Magazine

04/10/05: "North College Hill stars O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker are two of just five U.S. prep sophomores invited by USA Basketball to the 2005 Pacific Rim Sports Summit, June 8-11 in Seattle. The event will feature 40 top U.S. prep players, most entering their junior or senior year. In all, four U.S. teams will compete against young national squads from Canada, China, New Zealand and Russia." - Enquirer.com

04/09/05: Listed as the 3rd best player in the country in 2007. - ScoutHoops.com

04/08/05: "Bill Walker, a 6'7 WG/WF, is O.J.'s best friend and teammate on both the high school and AAU level. He partakes in daily workouts with O.J. during the high school season and the AAU season. During the high school season, the duo participates in daily three hour workouts. During the AAU season, those daily workouts range from three to six hours. Walker is unquestionably one of the top leapers in the country and possesses a deadly three point shot. The Vince Carter (Early Toronto and current New Jersey days) comparisons are inevitable, and I am hard-pressed to disagree with them. What makes Bill even more lethal is that he has a chiseled 220 pound physique that gives him the ability to outmuscle any player on the high school level if he chooses to post up. (snip) Both I and Prerak Shah (the other DraftCity staff member in attendance) agreed that Mayo and Walker were more impressive than ANY of the players playing in the Roundball Classic. Only Gerald Green even came close." - Draftcity.com

03/23/05: "Perhaps making up for the no-shows (at the Roundball Classic) was the presence of Cincinnati (OH) North College Hill's dynamic sophomore duo of O.J. Mayo and Billy Walker. The two were there to watch the proceedings and also got in a workout after the game participants left the gym. Not surprising was the fact that more than a handful of NBA guys hung around afterwards just to watch them shoot jumpers." - PrepStars.com

03/22/05: "This is a recap of Day 2 of the Roundball Classic. The two best prospects on the court today (only Gerald Green matched them) won’t even be playing in the all-star game: OJ Mayo and Bill Walker.

Two sophomore phenoms who play for the same high school team decided to drop in today. They shot around while the other players practiced, and after almost everyone left (except about 20 people), they put on a spectacular show.

Their play was so impressive that we will be devoting an entire article to them (including interviews with both Mayo and Walker), which will be coming out soon. Sadly, many of the scouts and GMs present (including Kiki Vandeweghe and Danny Ainge) were not present to marvel at Mayo and Walker. But they had enough to look at in the official practice." - DraftCity.net

03/22/05: "Super athletic wing. Plays with an attitude. Dominates in stretches." - PrepSpolight.com

END OF SEASON
03/21/05: "Walker then had 19 points and 14 rebounds in NCH’s thrilling 71-65 win over Ironton in the title game. He helped the Trojans punctuate that win: His breakaway dunk put the Trojans up 53-43 with 2:15 left in the third quarter. "I just windmilled it and threw it down as hard as I could," said Walker. "I prefer the windmill; it's my favorite." - Insidetheville.com

03/21/05: "Mr. Basketball O.J. Mayo had an assist on a critical basket and then scored the final four points for Cincinnati North College Hill in a 71-65 win over No. 2 Ironton. Second-team All-Ohioan Bill Walker had 19 points and 14 rebounds, with 6-11 center Keenan Ellis adding 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots. "We had a goal way back in November _ to play for the state championship," Walker said. "We did it. Now the goal is to get two more." Mayo finished with 22 points, six assists and three rebounds, despite carrying four fouls for most of the second half." - Dayton Daily News

03/20/05: "top-ranked North College Hill won their first Ohio Division III state basketball title Saturday night, fending off No. 2 Ironton 71-65 before 14,749 fans at Value City Arena. (snip) Sophomore Bill Walker had 19 points and 14 rebounds. The Mayo/Walker summer AAU teams have won seven national titles, but Saturday marked (their) first high school championship in four varsity seasons." - Enquirer

03/18/05: North College Hill dazzled the crowd with eight dunks and routed Loudonville 75-42 here today, in an Ohio Division III boys’ basketball state semifinal game. NCH sophomore O.J. Mayo, named Ohio Mr. Basketball earlier this week, led the Trojans with 21 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two blocked shots and two steals. Mayo’s fellow 6-foot-6 classmate, Bill Walker, had 15 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. A crowd of 14,631 watched at Ohio State’s Value City Arena, which seats 19,197." - Enquirer.com

03/13/05: "Mayo led NCH with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Fellow sophomore Bill Walker had 17 points and nine rebounds." They beat Middletown Fenwick to move to the final four for Div 3.

03/11/05: "There was the first half, which was all Walker - 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Then there were the final nine minutes of the game, when Mayo went from having just two points to a total of 21, including 17 of NCH's 19 points in the final quarter. (snip) Walker led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds." - Enquirer.com

03/07/05: Mayo and Walker are featured in the latest issue of Slam Magazine. The four page article includes some nice photos of them as well.

03/04/05: NCH beat West Libery Salem 62-37. "Mayo, the D-III Southwest District Player of the Year, finished with 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds. While he drew the "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd early, it was fellow 6-6 sophomore Bill Walker who stole the show, recording game-highs of 22 points — including three thunderous dunks — and 12 rebounds. Walker dunked on the first play of the game. It clearly rattled the Tigers, who missed their first five shots." - Springfield Sun

02/27/05: Listed as the 2nd best player in his class, in the country. "Bill Walker is holding on to the second spot averaging 20 points and 11 boards so far this winter. This high flying highlight film maker has tools to dominate inside 15-feet, but still needs to develop a consistent jumper . . . " - HoopMasters.com

02/22/05: Huggins attended the NCH game. (1 to 3)

02/17/05: "Mayo is averaging 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals per game. Walker averages 20 points and 11 rebounds while Ellis, through seven games, is averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. North College Hill is ranked The USA Today’s No. 10 team in the Midwest." - PrepSpotlight.com

02/10/05:
http://www.jjhuddle.com/stories/NCHProfile.htm

02/06/05: "O.J. Mayo went for 27 points and eight assists as North College Hill (17-1) won at Huntington. Teammate Bill Walker added 20 points and 12 rebounds for North College Hill. NCH beat Parkersburg South (WV) HS 106-66. - Huntington Herald Dispatch

02/06/05: "When I first walked out, I have to be honest, I was nervous to be back home," said Walker, who has played in bigger arenas in front of larger crowds. "It's just a humbling experience for all these people to come watch you play. This is home, there's more pressure, and there's family and friends. Its a totally different atmosphere."
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2005/February/06/LSspota.htm

01/30/05: "The 6-6 Walker practically carried the Trojans after Mayo twisted his leg with 2:26 left in the third quarter. Mayo scored just six points in the final 10 minutes. Walker finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds. "I told [Mayo] I'm gonna carry the load," Walker said, "and sit back and do what you can. And that's what he did. He was playing on bad legs. They started cramping up. I told him I had it." - WVGazette.com

01/30/05: "O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker, heralded standouts for North College Hill, combined for 67 points to lead the Trojans to an 81-64 win over Beckley in the nightcap of the Border Battle I tripleheader Saturday night at the Charleston Civic Center. Mayo, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, pumped in 36 points and grabbed 17 rebounds while the 6-6 Walker totaled 31 points and 13 boards. Mayo had 19 alone in the first quarter. The dynamic duo did all of the work because the Trojans had nine varsity players sitting out as part of a two-game suspension for a fight in a game last week in Cincinnati. In attendance was Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings." - Huntington Herald-Dispatch

01/23/05: "In NCH's 79-65 win over highly regarded Toledo St. John's, Walker was a beast, scoring 30 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and throwing down one of the sickest dunks you will see on the High School level." - Recruiting Nation

01/15/05: Mayo had 26 and Walker had 23 in a win over CCD.
http://hacksports.com/Articles.2004.05/basketball.nch.ccd.1.15.05.htm

12/31/04: Both Bill Walker and OJ Mayo are named two of the top five HS players in the country - regardless of class. - HoopScoop

12/21/04: Andy Kennedy attended the NCH - St Xavier game.

12/11/04: "NCH sophomore Bill Walker led all scorers with 35 points and also had 20 rebounds, eight steals, seven assists and four blocked shots." - Enquirer.com

12/09/04: Listed by recruiting expert Rick Bolus as the 4th best player in Ohio, regardless of class. Bolus bases his player rankings on college potential.

12/09/04: "The super sophomore duo of O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker led Cincinnati, OH North College Hill to an easy 90-37 win over Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy on Tuesday night. Mayo scored a game-high 40 points, while Walker added 12 points for the Trojans, who are off to a 4-0 this season." - HoopMasters.com

12/01/04: "Mayo led NCH, with 27 points, and 8 assists, while teammate Bill Walker finished the night with 24 points, and 11 rebounds. One more note on North College Hill, they had a big surprise for everyone else it the city, and state, as on their bench sat 7-0 center Keenan Ellis. Ellis, is RecruitingNation.com's #12 player in the class of 2007, and he has now transferred from Indianapolis' Cathedral High School, to North College Hill." - RecruitingNation.com

11/27/04: "Bill Walker added 13 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals (in a win over Badin)" - Enquirer.com

11/03/04: Listed as the best wing forward in Ohio, regardless of class. - PrepSpotlight.com

10/15/04: Attended Midnight Madness at Cincinnati. - Mike Ryan

10/15/04: Listed as the #2 player in his class. - PrepStars.com

09/21/04: "Mayo also dished a handful of assists to his high school teammate Bill Walker, who is ranked as the No. 8 player in the class of 2007. A 6-foot-6, 190-pound power forward, Walker finished with 14 points and delivered his usual display of crowd-pleasing dunks. He caught an alley-oop that Mayo threw from half court in midair and quickly slammed it and moments later he jumped from the lane, held the ball well above the rim in his right hand and dunked right on top of an embarrassed defender." - NCPreps.com

09/21/04: evaluators comment -
"The most intimidating player in the tournament. His mere presence scared off opponents. He is a great weapon on fast breaks, but needs to improve his post moves and his ball-handling skills." - NCPreps.com

08/31/04: "Along with Oden, Caracter and senior guard Louis Williams, Mayo is among the nation's four best high school players. Mayo, whose combination of basketball skills, athleticism and intangibles are at the highest level, is thus No. 1 on our list (of 'Phenoms'). O.J. is followed, remarkably, by his high school teammate, 6-5, 210-pound sophomore combo forward Billy Walker, who when healthy is the premier straight-up leaper in the present high school ranks. While both Mayo and Walker reportedly are a year older than most sophomores, there's no denying that each is a truly unique talent." - HoopMasters.com

08/30/04: Listed as the 8th best player in his class. "Small forward Bill Walker, an AAU teammate of Mayo, entered the summer season with less of a national reputation but with “freak” athleticism and the tendency to produce highlight clips in massive quantities. He checks in at No. 8. Walker, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, is a bouncy and long player who is still refining his perimeter game, but with massive hops and long arms, he is a force near the basket." - RivalsHoops.com

08/18/04: Listed as the 3rd best player in his class. (Mayo #1) - theInsidersHoops.com

07/28/04: "The final day was full of action, including what had to be the dunk of the tournament, as the D-1 Greyhound's Bill Walker flew in, and threw down a huge dunk over Oakland Slam N' Jam's 7-5 Center, Jaber Rouzbabni. Not only did that dunk electrify the crowd, but it also pumped his teammates up, as they then proceeded to rally from a 10 point deficit, to win going away." - Recruiting Nation

07/27/04: "Walker and O.J. Mayo, his North College Hill teammate, were both named to the all-tournament team. Mayo finished fourth overall in scoring with an average of 27.1 points per game." - CincyPost.com

07/26/04:
http://www.cincypost.com/2004/07/26/hoop07-26-2004.html

07/14/04: Listed as the second best soph at the Reebok ABCD Camp by Bob Gibbons/Hoopmasters. (#1 - OJ Mayo, #10 Keenan Ellis)

07/13/04: Walker averaged 11.6 ppg, 5 rpg, 0.4 apg and shot 50% from the arc. - Reebok ABCD camp stats

07/12/04: "Louisville’s Rick Pitino was one of a host of major college coaches that caught Walker’s Friday afternoon game. And although only a sophomore, Walker already has an early list of favorites with a heavy lean to the Big East Conference. "I’m real open to where I’m going," Walker said. "But I like Cincinnati, Louisville and Syracuse." - InsideTheVille.com

07/12/04: "The seniors are good," said East Coast talent evaluator Tom Konchalski, "but I think the underclassmen are excellent. Bill Walker is almost as good as O.J. Mayo," he added. "He's as explosive athletically, and he shoots it well. He's a good outside shooter, but he just attacks the basket." - Bergen County record, NJ

07/11/04: "Walker is a ridiculous athlete who, at 6-foot-5, will play the shooting guard and will probably do it for pay one day." - theInsidersHoops.com (changed from a PF to a SF)

07/11/04: "...the Bill Walker that played so well at the NBA Players Association camp was back for Saturday’s mid-afternoon game." - RivalsHoops.com

07/10/04: "He could care less about the well being of any rim in the building, and it is only a matter of time before he shatters a backboard because he dunks with such ferocity." - PrepStars.com

07/09/04: "Walker has proved that he can shoot from the perimeter. Surprisingly enough, he has also flashed a much improved handle with the ball and instead of relying on his plentiful hops to get him to the rim, he is breaking defenders ankles before pulling up and ripping home mid range jump shots." - PrepStars

07/07/04: "Louisville, Connecticut, Syracuse, Cincinnati, and West Virginia make up the early list for 6'4 Soph O.J.Mayo from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH. Cincinnati, Louisville, and Kentucky were mentioned by 6'5 Soph Billy Walker from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH." - HoopScoop

06/22/04: "My vote for top player honors in camp went to 6'5 Frosh Billy Walker from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH for a number of reasons. First, Walker was one of the leading scorers and most consistent players in camp from start to finish. Second, he was unstoppable when he used his incredible athleticism and explosiveness to beat everybody to the hole. Third, nobody in the camp played any harder than this guy. As a matter of fact, Walker was so good, we're not sure whether he or 6'4 Frosh O.J. Mayo from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH is the best freshman in the nation. Yes, it's that close! And Mayo also had a great week, as he too was one of the leading scorers in camp and impressed us with his court savvy, feel for the game, ball handling and passing skills, ability to get his outside shot, and explosiveness to the hole." - HoopScoop

06/21/04: "Class of 2007 super prospect Bill Walker has that special swagger that the great ones have. He’s been one of the best players at the camp and has given a somewhat lackluster event some much needed energy. Anytime there was an ohh and ahh from the crowd and benches, it was most likely traced back to Walker. He’s a big-timer." - RivalsHoops.com

06/21/04: "Bottom line: he’s an athletic freak with a skill package. Another big day for one of the best players at camp. His 24 points is the highest total so far in any single camp game." - theInsidersHoops.com

06/20/04: "This guy is the real deal. On Saturday night, he exploded to the rim for finishes and when he’s making his jumper like he did in the camp game we watched then he’s on a completely different level." - theInsidersHoops.com

06/19/04: Attended the NBAPA Camp at VCU.

06/01/04: "Cincinnati, Xavier, Clemson, N.C. State, Wake Forest, and Kentucky are the early leaders for 6'5 Frosh Bill Walker from Cincinnati (North College Hill) OH." - HoopScoop

05/31/04: "The 6-foot-5, 205-pound small forward is a tremendous athlete with the ability to finish in transition and with back to the basket moves. He also shot the ball well from behind the arc. Walker, along with his teammate O.J. Mayo, is one of the best in his class." - RivalsHoops.com

04/26/04: "Mayo's teammate on the D1 Greyhounds and at Cincinnati's North College Hill High School, Bill Walker is a dunking machine. The 6-foot-5 wing made sure everyone knew that on Friday night with a thundering dunk on 6-foot-8 Isaiah Rusher of the Houston Hoops. Walker challenged gravity for a second or so when he was in the air. The moment will be remembered for some time." - RivalsHoops.com

04/14/04: "You can often find Mayo and Walker in the NCH gym shooting at night with their teammates. Walker is trying to get back into playing shape after knee surgery last summer that made him miss 20 regular season games this season. Still, at 6-feet-6-inches, Walker won't rest on his laurels. His and Mayo's futures as potential college and pro basketball stars are there for the taking, if only they'll work hard enough. They're not the only people in North College Hill dreaming of better things on these late nights." - Cincinnati CityBeat Magazine

12/05/03: Named second team All State (other third teamers include JR Ben Raymond, SO DaQuan Cook and SR Brian Roberts) - HoopScoop