Illini offer sophomore point guard following visit

2019 point guard Marquise Walker from Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph was in Champaign for an unofficial visit on Saturday. He left the campus holding a scholarship offer from the Illini.

“When I went there they basically welcomed me home,” Walker said. “When I heard about the offer, I was so excited. I worked so hard to get a scholarship offer, and I achieved it. “

The offer from Illinois is the first for the 5-foot-10 Walker, who has been running with 15U Nike Team Florida on the AAU circuit this spring.

Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Eric Bossi watched Walker during the EYBL stop in Hampton, VA

"Hailing from Illinois, Marquise Walker is a physically tough, aggressive and sometimes flashy point guard who looks to put pressure on defenders," Bossi said.

Walker became well known to fans in the state of Illinois with a break out performance in the IHSA tournament earlier this year.

He scored 18 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out four assists in the state title game, as the St. Joes Crusaders fell to Belleville Althoff.

That post-season run put Walker on the radar of many high major programs, including Illinois. Saturday’s visit sealed the deal on an offer, and Walker said he is building a tight bond with Illinois head coach John Groce.

“He said the way I play, my mid-range game and the pick and roll, it fits exactly how he wants his guards to be. He said I play with toughness and heart. He told me he can make me in to a great player.

“We both have a will to win. He’s a great coach and great guy. You can tell he wants the best situation for me that I can possibly have.”

During the visit, Walker and his family got to tour the campus, the practice facilities, and the renovated State Farm Center. He also spent some time chatting with current Illini players.

According to Walker, he and his family are long-time fans of Illinois basketball, so the offer was particularly satisfying.

“We watched Frank Williams, Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Luther Head,” Walker said. “We have watched them for years, even when they’ve been down. They are going to be back up again. “

The offer was exciting news for Walker, but he doesn’t plan to make an early commitment. He said he will wait until his junior or senior year at St. Joe’s to pull the trigger.

Still, he holds the Illini in high esteem and they will be there until the end.

“As of right now, Illinois is my number one school,” he said.