National Basketball Association

Florida sophomore Chris Walker declares for NBA Draft

Published Apr. 24, 2015 2:19 p.m. ET

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Sophomore center Chris Walker is leaving Florida and will put his name in the NBA Draft pool.

Walker, the 6-foot-10, 220-pounder who averaged 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds during his two UF seasons, toyed with his decision in the six weeks since the Gators' 2014-15 campaign ended in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. After weighing his options, consulting with Coach Billy Donovan and family, plus getting feedback from NBA scouts, Walker opted for an early exit.

The deadline for underclassmen declaring for the draft is Sunday at 6 p.m.

Walker was a McDonald's All-American and top-10 recruit when he signed with the Gators in the fall of 2012. Though he never came close to meeting the sky-high expectations that preceded his arrival to UF, Walker's athleticism and ceiling have kept him in conversations in some NBA front offices, despite a sophomore season when he averaged just 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and played just 15 minues per game.

Walker does not show up on ESPN's Top 100, NBADraftNet.com's top 60 or CBSSports.com's top 100 lists of prospects for the draft, scheduled for June 25.

Walker is the second UF players to put his name in the NBA pool, joining junior guard Michael Frazier II, who also is a marginal prospect -- late-first round to undrafted -- according to a survey of mock drafts.

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