Caleb Walker was offered basketball scholarships from a handful of strong mid-major schools.

Among those interested in the 6-foot-4, 205-pound wing from Butler County (Kan.) Community College were Creighton, Northern Iowa, Evansville, Loyola of Chicago and Detroit.

But as this season progressed, the phone of Butler coach Mike Bargen — son of former Husker assistant Gary Bargen — kept ringing, and it was power conference schools on the line.

Minnesota wanted more information. So did Ole Miss. And Nebraska, the school Walker committed to on Tuesday.

“It happened pretty quickly,” Bargen said Wednesday from El Dorado, Kan. “But he was very, very sure of his decision.”

Walker is a strong candidate for Jayhawk League player of the year for Jayhawk West champion Butler County (26-5).

The Hutchinson, Kan., native averages 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. He's shooting 52 percent from the field, and has nine double-doubles this season.

“He's a great kid and an absolute competitor,” Bargen said. “He's been good for us, and I think his best basketball is to come.”

Walker went to Butler County to play football and basketball. But this season, as the football team entered the playoffs, he turned to basketball full time.

“He's a strong kid,” Bargen said. “In high school, because there aren't a lot of big guys in the area, he played inside and got by because of his athleticism.

“We moved him to the wing, and it has been a good transition for him.”

Walker would be the 13th scholarship player for Nebraska for the 2010-11 season, putting the Huskers at the NCAA limit.

But in each of coach Doc Sadler's first three seasons, at least two scholarship players have departed, so more signings are possible.

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

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