Multi-talented guard leaving Northern California power Moreau Catholic to attend Arizona school where DeAndre Ayton starred.
Video: Highlights of Kyree Walker
See the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year dominate on the hardwood.The MaxPreps Freshman of the Year is already on the move.
Kyree Walker, a do-everything 6-foot-6 guard, announced on Twitter this morning he will transfer from
Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.) to
Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.).
Moreau Catholic coach Frank Knight said he discussed the decision two weeks ago with Walker and his family.
“The
parents were helped out with jobs and his grandfather will be able to
move out to live with the family, too,” Knight said. “The
cost of living from the Bay Area to Phoenix is much different. I told
them if I was in their situation, I’d probably would have done it, too.”
Walker averaged 21.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game last year for the Mariners, who won a Division II Northern California boys basketball title.
He scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his final game at Moreau, a 72-65 loss to Esperanza (Anaheim) in the state title game at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Besides announcing his transfer, Walker thanked everyone at Moreau.
Knight said it was emotional for Walker to leave. His girlfriend attends
Moreau Catholic as well. Walker was nervous to send out his decision on
Twitter, afraid from the backlash.
Though disappointed to lose Walker, Knight remained supportive.
“It’s
tough to lose the No. 1 player in the class,” Knight said. “But with a
kid of his talent, going to a place that will be better and less
stressful for his parents, I wish him and the family nothing but the
best. I’m just happy to have been a part of his life for a year. He’s a
great kid. I hope we were able to have taught him some things.”
Moreau
Catholic should return 13 of 16 players from last year’s roster. But
between Walker and Grand Canyon-signee Damari Milstead, a senior guard,
“we lost about 90 percent of our scoring,” Knight said. “We’ll have to
find ways to manufacture our scoring next year.”
Speculation
that Knight might be moving on now that both standouts are moving on is
premature, Knight said. He’s 144-67 in seven seasons at Moreau Catholic.
“I’m here right now and I’m thankful for that,” he said.
Hillcrest Academy is where the nation's top senior recruit, 7-foot center
DeAndre Ayton, played last season. Ayton signed to the University of Arizona.
Kyree Walker announced Monday on Twitter he is transferring from Moreau Catholic to Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix.
File photo by Samuel Stringer
