The Miami Hurricanes added a huge piece to their 2017 class on Wednesday morning when 5-Star shooting guard Lonnie Walker committed to the program. The 6’5 Walker is the 21st ranked player in the nation and becomes the fourth member of Miami’s 2017 recruiting class. He joins fellow top-100 players Chris Lykes and Deng Gak as well as international prospect Samuel Waardenburg. After reeling in his best recruiting class at Miami last year, Jim Larrañaga may one-up himself this year.

Walker is a multi-talented wing who can do a bit of everything. He is a high-level athlete who can get out and run in transition and is a fantastic finisher around the rim. The Reading, Pennsylvania native is a capable three-point shooter when he gets his feet set and has a solid handle that allows him to blow by defenders who close out too hard on him. Once near the rim, Walker has excellent body control and can finish in a variety of ways, making him very difficult to guard one on one. Walker may be a shooting guard but he also has shown the ability to distribute the ball from the wing and is a willing passer.

On the defensive side of the ball, Walker does a great job of harassing opposing guards. He possesses a 6’10 wingspan and is very good at jumping passing lanes and starting transition opportunities. His wingspan also allows him to be a factor on the glass from the perimeter, and when he pulls down a rebound he can be a one-man fast break.

Walker has all the talent in the world to be successful at the college level, but he must get his body ready before heading to South Beach. He needs to add muscle to his frame so he can continue to compete at the next level. Another area where Walker can improve is by improving his off-ball skills. While he is dynamite with the ball in his hands, Walker can sometimes float through games and disappear for stretches when his number is called on offense. To remedy this, Walker must improve his motor and not just go through the motions when coming off screens or cutting in the flow of the offense.

Walker is an excellent pick up for Larrañaga, who has a good reputation of getting everything he can out of guards. Miami’s recruiting under Larrañaga is showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to build a team that can compete for ACC championships yearly. Walker selected the Hurricanes over offers from Kentucky, Syracuse, Arizona, and hometown Villanova. Arizona had been trending for Walker since his official visit to the university, but ended up committing to Miami due to his relationships with the coaches.