INDIANAPOLIS — Ranking among the ESPN top 100 college recruits, C.J. Walker is topping another important list. The 6-foot point guard of Arsenal Technical High School was recently nominated for the 38th Annual McDonald’s All American Games.
McDonald’s has 755 nominees from 50 states; only nine players from Indiana were chosen and Walker is the only IPS representative. “I’m very excited — I’ve got a great opportunity to make a lot of great things happen for my school and for myself,” says Walker. He officially committed to Florida State University in June 2015.
Julie Bakehorn, Principal of Arsenal Technical High School joined the Tech Titans as school leader in the 2015-2016 school year and reflects on the first time she met Walker, “I met CJ on my first tour of the Tech campus last Spring. He had no idea who I was, but warmly greeted me and was so respectful. He goes out of his way to be courteous, always speaking and greeting those who are near,” says Principal Bakehorn.
Walker started playing ball at an early age and has built strong leadership skills on and off the court. “Kyrie Irving is one of my favorite NBA players, he is a leader,” says Walker. “That’s how I see myself going into college, as a strong leader for people to look up to.” As a Tech scholar enrolled in the honors program, Walker excels both on the basketball court and in the classroom. He wrapped up the first semester of his senior year with a 3.57 GPA. “He is an extraordinary young man — I have no doubt he will be well-prepared when he gets to Florida State to be both a college student and a college athlete,” says Bakehorn.