Today, MJ Walker committed to play for the Florida State Seminoles. The athletic combo guard was named a McDonald’s All American, where we had the opportunity to catch up with him.
NBADraft.net: How has Chicago and McDonald’s week been?
MJ Walker: Other than the weather, it’s been cool. I’ve enjoyed it so far. It feels good to be out here with these guys. Pretty good group of guys, pretty humbled. Everybody’s happy to be here but at the same time, it’s a business trip, we’re here to compete. Just take that in mind when I’m on the court.
NBADraft.net: Do you feel like you have anything to prove playing in this game?
MJ Walker: Just to show that I’m here for a reason. I’m one of the top guards here and I play with a chip on my shoulder. Even though I’m ranked and everything, that don’t mean anything when I’m out there and their ranking doesn’t mean anything to me either, so I’m going at all of them each and every time I’m out there.
NBADraft.net: What separates you from your peers playing in this game?
MJ Walker: I feel like my energy and just how hard I work. When I’m on the court, even when my shots not falling and everything, I find something else I can do to give my team the win. I’m not about me when I’m out there, I’m about the team winning. So, anything I can do to get us that dub, I’m all for it.
NBADraft.net: How would you best describe your game?
MJ Walker: Aggressive, being real aggressive. High motor, I definitely feel like my game has just been off me being aggressive and just attacking all the time, keeping the defender on his heels and just playing defense. Pressuring the guard and allowing him to struggle as well.
NBADraft.net: What’s the main thing you want to add or work on before you go to college?
MJ Walker: Being able to efficiently score off the dribble. Be a better passer and shooter. An elite defender as well.
NBADraft.net: Is there anybody you model your game after?
MJ Walker: I like (Russell) Westbrook. I just like how he plays. His aggression, high motor, he plays with a chip on his shoulder all the time, high energy guy. Just gives his all for his team.
NBADraft.net: Who’s been the best player you’ve ever played against?
MJ Walker: Best player…there’s a lot of good guys. I’d definitely say Ben Simmons, I played against him when Florida had that little Montverde tournament at their school. I played against him. A talented player, real talented, and tough as well.
NBADraft.net: What’s been the biggest moment of your high school career?
MJ Walker: Probably, I think winning my first state championship. That was probably the best feeling I ever had being in high school. We won a second one my sophomore year but I think that winning that first one definitely felt good.
NBADraft.net: At what age did you realize basketball was something you wanted to pursue?
MJ Walker: Probably…I can’t remember the exact age but I know going into middle school I think that I started really loving the sport and actually wanted to work to get better, so I think then around that time.
NBADraft.net: Did you make any changes to your diet or workout routine at that time?
MJ Walker: Yeah, my dad started taking me to the track, running up, doing the stairs, things like that, being exposed to different workouts. He always had me doing pushups, toe raises, really small things like that but they eventually added up and I am where I am now.
NBADraft.net: How’s recruiting coming?
MJ Walker: It’s coming together. I’m starting to setup some official visits. I don’t exactly know when I’m going to take those visits because I still got Nike Hoop Summit coming up next so probably after that I’m going to get those visits rolling and figure out where I’m going to go.
NBADraft.net: Have any of these players tried to recruit you?
MJ Walker: Yeah, I’ve been talking to a couple of the guys here, I’m not going to put nothing out as far as what they’re saying but we’ve been talking.
NBADraft.net: If you could go back and give advice to a ninth-grade MJ Walker, what would you say?
MJ Walker: I’d tell him to just continue to work on his game. I know in ninth-grade my ball handling wasn’t that strong. I was a decent shooter. Just continue to work on by ball handling and working on my decision-making skills.
NBADraft.net: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
MJ Walker: Five years…either I want to be graduating college or playing in the NBA.
