'They see the potential.' Lloyd basketball star E.J. Walker commits to South Carolina

E.J. Walker will play in the Southeastern Conference.

The Lloyd Memorial junior basketball player verbally committed to play for the University of South Carolina Friday night in a live ceremony at the school.

USC, coached by Lamont Paris, went 26-8 last season, finished second in the SEC and reached the NCAA Tournament.

“He had a great relationship with Coach Paris,” his father and Lloyd head coach Mike Walker said. “The way they presented themselves as helping him not only as a basketball player but as a man really speaks volumes.”

Walker, 6-foot-8, averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds while playing in the post. He projects as a forward in college.

Walker said he loved the campus in Columbia and the relationship he is building with Paris.

“They don’t really have a position on their offense,” E.J. Walker said. “I’ll be able to set screens and receive screens. And on defense, I’ll be able to switch and guard multiple positions.”

Said Mike Walker: “They see the potential. The way they’re going to use him and his versatility is something we were really looking for. The way (Parris) uses the hybrid forward, the 3-4 (forwards) everywhere he’s been. He knows winning, he gets the guys ready to play. His personality and the way he coaches are a great fit for E.J.”

Walker took an official visit to South Carolina on the last weekend of March.

He is ranked the No. 125 overall prospect, the No. 28 power forward, and No. 2 prospect in Kentucky for the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He is a four-star recruit on 247Sports Composite Rankings and a consensus top-150 recruit in the 2025 class.

He was a priority target for Paris and the Gamecocks, according to the program’s On3.com recruiting site.

Walker took more than 50 visits according to his father. He had at least three to Wisconsin.

According to BadgerNotes, a Wisconsin recruiting site, "His unique combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills makes Walker a versatile chess piece. He can push the ball in transition, win down on the low block with footwork, face up on occasion, knock down shots, or put the ball on the deck."

Walker, a 4.0 student, made the announcement live on social media in front of about 100 supporters in the school auditorium. Lloyd athletic director Bill Pilgram and fitness trainer Jordan Nevels spoke to the crowd, and both of his parents made emotional speeches.

“Our friendship, our coach and player relationship, and you being my son I wouldn’t change that for the world,” Mike Walker said during the ceremony. “When your teammates get all-tournament team or win awards, that’s when you have the biggest smile on your face.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: SEC basketball: South Caroline picks up Kentucky star E.J. Walker