Ro Russell, Cory Joseph’s AAU coach, told me that the Findlay Prep senior has already selected a school but the people with knowledge of his choice are “sworn to secrecy.” Devoe Joseph’s strong finish at the end of the year raised Minnesota’s stock in his brother’s eyes, Russell said.
But Russell, who coached Joseph and Walker on his Grassroots Canada AAU squad, said talk of a “package deal” with the two players is inaccurate. He said Joseph is more interested in playing with his brother than Walker. But I’m sure Joseph will be more interested in the Gophers if his friend Walker picks the school.
The Gophers hope to recruit new talent, too.
If he likes what he sees during his visit, Mo Walker will likely commit to the Gophers this weekend, he said earlier this week. The Canadian power forward who led Brewster Academy (N.H.) to a national prep school title said he admires Tubby Smith because the Gophers coach didn’t make a bunch of false promises and wanted to get to know him as a person.
Walker is a 6-10, 270 pound post player who has struggled with his conditioning in high school. But he’ll have a chance to work with a very good strength and conditioning coach (Cal Dietz) if he joins the program.