Florida prep Chris Walker taps UF

By Gary Bedore     Jul 23, 2012

Chris Walker, the No. 6-rated player in the recruiting Class of 2013 according to Rivals.com, on Sunday orally committed to the University of Florida. He chose Billy Donovan’s Gators over Kansas University, Louisville, Kentucky, Ohio State, Syracuse and Baylor.

Walker, a 6-foot-9, 220-pounder from Holmes County High in Bonifay, Fla., made his announcement Sunday morning via a pre-filmed mixtape at hthoops.com.

“I will be playing college basketball for the University of Florida,” Walker said on the tape. “I will be teaming with (Florida Elite teammate) Kasey Hill, and together we will be the best duo in college, and we will win a national championship.”

Hill, who is rated No. 7 nationally, committed to Florida last New Year’s Eve. He is a 6-1 point guard from Montverde Academy in Clermont, Fla.

“Given his size, athleticism and skill set, Walker has tremendous potential. He can run the floor extremely well, and loves to finish in transition,” writes Jeff Borzello of CBSsports.com. “In a half-court set, Walker can face-up and knock down jumpers or post up down low. Defensively, he is one of the better shot blockers in the class and he can rebound as well.

Vaughn to Magic?: Former KU guard Jacque Vaughn remains frontrunner to be named head coach of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the Orlando Sentinel reported Sunday.

The Sentinel says San Antonio assistant Vaughn met with Magic CEO Alex Martins on Friday in Las Vegas for a second-round interview. Magic general manager Rob Hennigan interviewed six candidates and cut the field to three: Vaughn, Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Michael Curry and Phoenix Suns player-development coach Lindsey Hunter.

Vaughn, 37, played for the Spurs when GM Hennigan worked in that team’s front office.

TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal apparently does not approve of the possible Vaughn hire. On Sunday he tweeted: “Orlando magic is about to hire jock Vaugh over mike Malone or Brian shaw are u kidding me, wow, good luck winning wit Dat team Dwite howard.”

Vaughn’s San Antonio Spurs beat O’Neal’s Phoenix Suns in the 2008 NBA playoffs. In 2006, O’Neal’s Miami Heat beat Vaughn’s New Jersey Nets in the playoffs.

This, that: Former KU guard Josh Selby of the Memphis Grizzlies was named co-MVP of the Las Vegas NBA summer league with Portland guard Damian Lillard. Selby led the league in scoring at 27.5 points a game. Lillard averaged 26.5 ppg. The all-summer league team: Selby, Lillard, Malcolm Thomas, Brad Beal, Tobias Harris, John Henson, Jeremy Lamb, Dominique Jones, Cory Joseph, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, Donatas Motiejunas, Jae Crowder. … ESPN’s Digger Phelps told Kansas City 810 radio WHB that KU’s home game against Texas this season would be part of ESPN “GameDay.” The Big 12 has not yet announced the 2012-13 hoops schedule.

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