Recruiting: Butler, Purdue chasing Tech's C.J. Walker

Tech guard C.J. Walker was watched Wednesday at open gym by coaches from Butler, Toledo and Xavier.

Walker, a 6-foot junior, said Xavier's interest has continued to increase. He currently has offers from Ball State, Butler, Cincinnati, Purdue and Western Illinois.

"I'm hearing from Xavier a lot more often," he said. "I've also been talking to South Florida and Creighton a little bit. Those are the most recent schools to show interest."

Walker, who averaged 8.3 points and 3.2 assists last season for the Class 4A state champion Titans, made a visit to Purdue on Saturday. He said assistant coach Jack Owens is in frequent contact.

"They are coming at me really hard," Walker said. "Coach Owens calls almost every day to let me know that I'm their guy. They want me to come in and be that big man for Purdue and play big minutes."

Walker said the idea of playing in the Big Ten Conference is appealing, but league affiliation isn't that high on his radar.

"It matters but it doesn't," he said. "I just want to go somewhere and be successful. Playing in the Big Ten and playing on ESPN all the time is pretty big-time, though."

Walker said he may visit Xavier on Saturday. Assistant coach Travis Steele watched him Wednesday.

"I'm starting to build a bigger relationship with them," he said. "They are coming at me a little harder this year."

Butler offered Walker during an unofficial visit in early June. He said the coaching situation with Brandon Miller taking a leave of absence and assistant Chris Holtmann taking over in the interim doesn't change too much for him.

"It was a little change and I was kind of upset a little bit, but I know Butler will be fine," Walker said. "They still have a really good coaching staff. Nothing has really changed. I'm still good with them."

Butler assistant Terry Johnson was in Wednesday, but Walker said he also talked to Holtmann recently.

"I talked to (Holtmann) the other day and he was telling me the situation," he said. "I'll still be out there to see a lot of games."

Walker said he doesn't plan to make a decision until after his junior year.

• Park Tudor forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2017) was watched at open gym on Wednesday by Butler and Illinois. Jackson has offers from IUPUI and Purdue. His teammate, senior point guard Bryce Moore, was offered by Western Illinois. ... Guard Cobie Dillard (Fishers), guard Eric Hunter (Tindley) and forward David Howard (Carmel) all took an unofficial visit to IUPUI on Wednesday. All three are 2018 prospects.