A big man from Illinois’ 2025 class that has shown plenty of promise throughout the year has been Kobe Walker. After finishing a strong grassroots season with MidPro Academy, the 6’8” center is a name to know.
“My season with MidPro was good,” Walker commented about his past grassroots season. “It was a new team, so we had to build chemistry, but I felt like I built a relationship with the guys pretty fast, I loved Coach Gavin (Sullivan) and all the other coaches. They all pushed me to get better. Also, I love the exposure in the NY2LA Association. It was my first time playing good teams also traveling to events.”
Even as a young big man with his height, strength and motor, Walker showed plenty of promise on the court during his time with MidPro Academy this past season. “I’m a center who can run the floor well and rebound the ball well. Also, I have good footwork and can shoot the mid-range a little,” he said to describe his own game. A couple things he is working on improving include his driving to the basket and his outside shooting.
Already, Walker has taken a visit to in-state Bradley this fall. “It was a nice experience,” he said about the trip. “The coaches were nice, I just got to watch them practice, it was fun…I love the energy, also everyone is always competing and pushing each other.”
As he gets deeper into his sophomore season at Normal Community High School, Walker is a big man to see and follow his development. For the season he is looking to help his team capture a state championship as well as get his name out there to college coaches while proving he is one of the best centers in the state.