The Valparaiso University men's basketball program and head coach Roger Powell Jr. have announced the signing of Kobe Walker (Normal, Ill. / Normal Community), a 6-foot-10 center who will join the program as a freshman for the 2025-26 season.
 
"Kobe comes from the same AAU program as Alec Peters," Powell said. "He gives us physicality and size in the paint with a huge upside for improvement and growth. He's a great kid with high-level character. He'll help us match up with other bigs in the conference."
 
Walker averaged 19.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game as a high school senior, earning all-state honors.
 
"When I came on a visit to Valpo, I loved everything about it," Walker said. "I thought I'd fit well in the program. It feels like family and I like the campus overall. I love Coach Powell; he's a great guy. I love his expectations for me to come in and possibly play. I love all of the coaches and feel like I'm going to build great relationships with the staff. I know they're going to push me every day in practice."
 
As a senior this year, Walker broke his school's rebounding record, which had stood for 52 years.
 
"Valpo is getting someone who plays hard," he said. "The strengths of my game are running the floor hard and mobility for a big man. I'm a good rebounder who can score the ball."
 
Walker was previously committed to a different NCAA Division-I institution, but that school had a coaching change, prompting him to re-open his recruitment. 
 
In his spare time, Walker enjoys going to church, golfing, watching movies, hanging out with friends and fishing. Academics are also important to him, and he is considering pursuing communications at Valpo because he is good at talking to people, understanding others and having an open mind.
 
"It's a blessing to get to play at a high level in the Missouri Valley Conference," Walker said. "Getting to play against good competition means a lot to me. I'm thankful for my AAU coach, Coach Gavin (Sullivan), who got on me every day at practice and in every tournament. I can't thank him enough for what he's done for my basketball career. I'm thankful to my parents for their unconditional love and support. I'm also thankful to my high school coaches, and of course the Man above, God, I thank Him every day."