Hopkins guard Kerwin Walton sees interest soar after big AAU weekend

Hopkins guard Kerwin Walton wants to be known for being more than just a shooter, but his deadly stroke was all coaches were talking about after his 10 three-pointers in a game during the start of the July evaluation period last week.

The 6-foot-5 Hopkins senior scored 30 points on 10-for-13 shooting from beyond the arc in D1 Minnesota's victory over Team Loaded (N.C.) at the Adidas Summer Championships in Birmingham, Ala.

Walton, who is one of seven Class of 2020 standouts with scholarship offers from the Gophers, combined to hit 15 threes in two games Saturday alone. D1 Minnesota was without five-star Prior Lake senior forward Dawson Garcia, who was out with an illness.

Walton led the way with 14.9 points per game on 25-for-54 shooting from long range in seven games Thursday through Sunday in Alabama.

Previously, Walton was hearing mostly from Denver, South Dakota, Creighton and Minnesota. After the last Adidas circuit, he picked up new scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Iowa, Iowa State, Miami and Virginia Tech.

The biggest offers yet came from Arizona and Kansas on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Don't expect Walton's offers from high majors to slow down anytime soon after last weekend's shooting display. That's more competition for the Gophers to keep him home. Last week, Walton talked to the Star Tribune about Minnesota and recruiting, how he improved this summer and more.

Q: Do you have any schools in mind for official visits?

A: It's really tough to schedule visits right now. I think I'm in a good spot, but I just want to have all the options and possible opportunities I can get. I have a few schools who are still looking at me and want to see me play one last time before they consider me with their offers. I just want to play (in July), and hopefully teams like what they see and start recruiting me harder.

Q: How did it feel to be offered by the Gophers last fall? Where do you stand with them?

A: It felt great to get an offer from them. They're another big-time school. I know a lot of the guys who went there (sophomores Daniel Oturu and Gabe Kalscheur). I'm pretty cool with them. I have a pretty good relationship with the coaching staff. They seem to really like me. I can see myself there, honestly. I believe I would fit in there. I feel like I could come in there and be used properly being able to play with Gabe, Daniel and other guys. I feel like Gabe and I would be good backcourt.

Q: Was it encouraging to see the Gophers reach the NCAA tournament last season?

A: It does encourage me a little bit about the program. Because if they can be successful I feel like the coaching staff could make that happen for me. I feel like I could reach that same level by developing myself or go even farther.

Q: Have you thought about when you would like to make a decision?

A: Not too much really. I'm just trying to look for the best fit for me. Where could I go in and possibly play right away, develop and be the best player I can be.

Q: How would you describe your development from last summer?

A: I think I improved a lot last year on the defensive end. People started to see it more and acknowledge it more. Knocking down shots on the other end and scoring anyway possible . Playing with guys like Zeke and Dawson helps to get me better and prepare me for the next level.

Q: How tough will it be this season at Hopkins playing without Zeke Nnaji (Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year), who is now at Arizona?

A: I thought we were the perfect 1-2 punch. I thought he was the best post player in Minnesota. Unless there was a double team coming he was going to score, especially when we were coming off the pick and roll. I could get it out to him for a shot or when Zeke was double teamed he could kick it out to me for a shot. He set good screens so I could come off looking to score. For us it was like a pick your poison type deal. I don't feel too much pressure (without him), but I'm definitely going to have to carry a heavier load this year. There are a bunch of new guys who are inexperienced but still have talent. I don't really feel pressure about it, but I feel more confident about myself and teammates.

Q: How much have you grown physically in the last year?

A: I think I've gotten bigger physically, but I'm not where I should be to play at the highest level. I'm always trying to see where my ceiling is. I'm trying to be the best version of myself. I'm doing a lot of lifting and different things. I just want to see how much I can grow.

Q: Do you think you proved this summer you're more than just a shooter?

A: I feel like I shoot at such a high level most people would just label me as a shooter, but I can do pretty much a lot of different things. I can handle the ball, I think I can pass and defend. Defending is one of my biggest passions next to shooting. If I can play on both ends of the floor, offense and defense, being able to guard somebody and stay in front of them and be able to knock down shots I think I can play at a high level wherever I play.