For the second time this offseason, Gophers basketball coach Ben Johnson and his staff hosted four-star Kentucky forward E.J. Walker on an unofficial visit.
The 6-8, 230-pound junior at Lloyd Memorial (Ky.) spent last weekend with the Gophers, which included attending the Eastern Michigan football win Saturday.
"I had a good visit," Walker told the Star Tribune. "The football game was a lot of fun. Enjoyed watching practice as well."
After receiving a scholarship offer from the Gophers in October, Walker and his family followed Johnson's program and visited the U for the first time in early June. They were able to spend more time with the staff and players on the second trip to Minnesota recently.
"I got to know [assistant coach Dave] Thorson more and took a tour of the campus," Walker said. "I also hung out with the players this time."
The aspect that most stood out for Walker and his family about the Gophers is Johnson and his staff, including assistants Jason Kemp and Marcus Jenkins.
"When we went out there the first time it was super quick," said Lloyd Memorial coach Michael Walker, E.J.'s father. "This time, we got to see the full campus. It's a big campus but it's also [intimate]. That was cool. We got a feel of the other staff members. The football stadium was really nice, too. It was a good overall visit. My wife liked it."
Kemp, the lead recruiter with Walker, also flew to Kentucky to see Walker's high school workout this week. "They're real big on relationships and family atmosphere," Walker said.
