Derrick Walton listed as top "sleeper" by ESPN

Submitted by tigers17fan on

ESPN recently released their new top 100. Walton ended up at number 30 but here they mention that he could be a potential sleeper (in fact the number 1 sleeper). They talk about how he could very easily end up like Burke--regarding as a good prospect that turns into something phenomenal.

 

Personally I'm pumped for Walton. I expect him to be a very selfless point-guard that gets everyone involved. Obviously it will be a decline from Burke, but not a crushing blow to us.

 

Go Blue!

 

The article is Paywalled. Here is the link

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/9231151/top-five-sleepers-final-2013-espn-100-player-rankings

StephenRKass

May 1st, 2013 at 10:44 PM ^

I'm not an insider, but you already told me what was critical. I love when front page stuff as well as stuff posted to the board forum summarizes the gist of paywalled stuff. The mods can delete what they need to, but I appreciate seeing the kernel and a bit more from other posters who pay for the access. Thank you for posting!

StephenRKass

May 1st, 2013 at 10:48 PM ^

The way I understand the OP, they are saying he may be greatly underranked and he should really be a top 5 player. The proof will hopefully come in the tournament next year, when we're paired against Kentucky and their "best class ever" and we not only beat them, but Walton clearly is better than all their top 10 ranked recruits. Yeah, that's really counting your chickens a bit early, but that's what we hope for, isn't it?

aSconnieWolverine

May 1st, 2013 at 6:20 PM ^

To be considered a sleeper they looked at players outside the top 25. Since Walton is number 30, it makes sense that he would be one of the top "sleepers". So not bad news, but not really anything surprising either.

Indonacious

May 1st, 2013 at 6:46 PM ^

 

So....I'm left to wonder why they don't rank him higher.

Also, it's not that big of a strech for them to say that because his rating of 89 is equal to the #23 player in the country so even ESPN doesn't distinguish him from a top 25 prospect that greatly. Obviously, it's better that he makes the list rather than not...but it seems kind of foolish to me, overall.

StephenRKass

May 2nd, 2013 at 1:22 AM ^

"Interesting" would work, except that's positive. What really is wrong is seeing "normal" up there.  It'd be great to have an "abnormal" choice. Or "weird." But none of the choices really fit.

(not flamebait, not trolling. All of the images together are "redundant," but I'd never want to see posts like this truly become "redundant.")

One other question:  how long did it take to put that together?

Braylons Butte…

May 1st, 2013 at 7:10 PM ^

Everyone was expecting a decline from Burke after following Morris and now the same of Walton (and he's the highest rated of the 3). Assuming he has work ethic (and I assume he does if he's a JB recruit), I actually expect Walton to be better than Burke as a point guard. Maybe not as a true alpha dog scorer/bigshot type, but in the true sense of distributing the ball and running the offense, I think he will be better if nothing but for he will have an overall better cast to distribute to than Morris or Burke.

Tater

May 1st, 2013 at 7:31 PM ^

I think I would predict exactly what I did for the 2012-13 team: struggle a bit early, learn from getting physically pounded in the Big Ten, peak by tournament time, and have a legit shot at the Final Four, where anything can happen.  

The 2012-13 team exceeded even my rosy expectations with their start, but I am not going to panic if next season's version struggles out of the gate when they play elite competition, nor will I panic if they lose a few at the beginning of the Big Ten schedule.  Nobody gets to the Final Four every year, and this year was a huge accomplishment, but the 2013-14 team could be playing even better at tournament time next year.  

Michigan got a lot of "team of destiny" type contributions from what would appear to be unlikely sources, but they were missing one thing: a shooter who could fill it up every game, ala Glen Rice.  

Nik Stauskas will be a year older.  Derrick Walton and Zak Irvin can certainly shoot.  Part of getting to the Final Four is luck.  Every team seems to win one game that they "should have lost," ala Michigan/Kansas.  All it takes is one guy who can be trusted to make open shots when needed.  Belein's offense will get that player enough open shots.

TheLastHarbaugh

May 1st, 2013 at 7:33 PM ^

If he's a sleeper why not just rank him higher?

Seriously, you're in charge of your own rankings system. It's hilarious to me whenever one of these rankings sites lists their "most underrated players." If they're underrated, rank them higher.

mejunglechop

May 1st, 2013 at 7:42 PM ^

They do the rankings! If they think he's a sleeper it's in their power to change it. smh

UofM Die Hard …

May 2nd, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^

Walton so much, just like I did with Burke and D Mo, is that they are just oozing with confidence.  All the great PGs dont think they can be stopped and I think this kid has it.   I think Walton will have a great freshman year

BBR

May 2nd, 2013 at 2:32 PM ^

From watching Derrick or as his AAU teammates call him.. D-Nice several times in person this year and speaking with him many times, I think he has a lot of potential.  He is more a passer and likes to get his teamates involved more than Trey or Darius did once.  Derrick is a true 1, PG, who when needs to takes over a ball game.  Nearly averaged a triple double his senior year.  Kid is a monster and should do big things.