Martin's opinion stays same: Walker's a pro

All season, Bill Walker played in Michael Beasley's towering shadow.

So it's fitting, perhaps, that Walker's NBA announcement was almost overshadowed as well.

After Michael Beasley announced his NBA intentions in front of a room full of reporters, Kansas State coach Frank Martin revealed Walker also plans to enter the NBA draft.

"He's going to declare but not hire an agent," Martin said. "A year ago, he was an NBA lottery pick. I don't see why he shouldn't go find out where his status is at right now. I think it's the right thing to do."

Maybe the low-key announcement was exactly what Walker wanted. He didn't attend Monday's news conference and hasn't spoken publicly since the season ended.

Reports surfaced last week that Walker would test the NBA waters, but K-State initially countered those claims.

Monday, Martin confirmed what most suspected: Bill Walker will enter the draft without hiring an agent, thus preserving his eligibility should he choose to return. Walker must withdraw his name 10 days before the June 26 draft if he wishes to come back.

"I couldn't be happier," Martin said. "If you ask my opinion, he's a pro. I felt that way when he was in high school. I felt that way last year. I felt that way when we played our last game this year.

"I think there's a legitimate chance that he's going to be a first-round pick."

Not everyone is convinced. Draftexpress.com lists Walker as the 10th pick in the second round, while NBAdraft.net has him going undrafted.

That's all subject to change once Walker gets a chance to perform in front of NBA scouts. Martin was confident the 6-foot-6 forward will be able to improve his stock.

"I think in these workouts, he'll be able to go in and perform 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 for NBA people," Martin said. "I think he's going to re-establish himself as one of the premier talents in the country."

Like Beasley, Walker was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school. He considered challenging the NBA age rules after blowing out his knee as a true freshman but ultimately decided to come back to K-State.

"Bill accepted the whole responsibility of continuing to move our program forward," Martin said. "That's not an easy thing to do when you're coming off major knee surgery and you're a college freshman."

Walker averaged 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds this season, numbers that undoubtedly would have been higher if he wasn't playing alongside a first-team All-American.

In that sense, Martin said Walker could benefit from the chance to step outside of Michael Beasley's shadow and showcase his talents in front of the NBA scouts.

"He's been judged on a team where the person next to him is going to be the first pick in the draft," Martin said. "If Bill is playing on a team where the person next to him is not a draft pick, then Bill looks like the first pick of the draft.

"I see him every day in practice. I know what he can do. I'm the one who breaks down film. I know what he does against players on other teams and the things he brings to the game of basketball. I'm happy for him."

[More at www.cjonline.com]