Lonnie Walker white suit at NBA Draft and his outside interests

There has been a lot of buzz over Lonnie Walker’s choice to wear a white suit during Thursday night’s NBA Draft. Walker is likely to become Miami’s highest draft choice since Rick Barry went second to Golden State in 1966.

There has been a lot of coverage this week about Lonnie Walker’s personality. On Thursday night Walker wowed with a white suit. Walker is one of the most eccentric and articulate players that will be selected in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Walker had at least a half-dozen interviews this week about his eccentric interests outside of basketball. Miami Head Coach Jim Larranaga said that when he was recruiting Walker they talked about far more than Basketball. The norm for the other recruits was to discuss hoops.

Some of the topics Walker discussed during interviews were the ethical treatment of dolphins in captivity, whether or not the earth is an illusion and if the moon landing actually happened. He has reporters captivated by his intelligence and theories.

Walker spoke to Sports Illustrated about how others could react to his beliefs.

"“I wasn’t built to script…People get uncomfortable. They’re so used to people telling them certain things that when someone tells them something different, they get edgy.I’m an open book. You either like me or you don’t. I don’t really have any flaws for you to not like me. I’m a very good kid. I’m a weird kid. Being uncomfortable is my comfortable.”"

Walker’s choice of a suit also stood out on Thursday night. It portrayed him well. The white suit he wore was classy but different.

Sports Illustrated explained the process that went into Walker’s decision about what clothes he would wear draft night.

"“After initially considering a red-and-black ensemble, Walker was challenged by stylist Boushra AlChabaoun to be more daring. He viewed 15 different color combinations before landing on an audacious get-up: a double-breasted cream suit, a pink shirt, a navy tie, and a pink pocket square.Walker and Kellman both squealed once the final outfit came together, as AlChabaoun laid out the finer points of button etiquette and offered suggestions on how to avoid spills.”"

Walker closed out the interview with SI by saying that he wants to be known as more than just a basketball player.

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"“The hardest thing about being a basketball player is being known only as a basketball player…“I’d rather be called ‘different.’”"

Walker is very confident in what he can do both on and off the court. Asked by ESPN how he compares with the rest of the draft class, he of course answered among the best. He also discussed the draft process, who he patterns his game after and if he has a preference on who drafts him.

Walker also spoke to ESPN’s The Undefeated. He believes he can guard from one through three at the next level, that his athleticism will play well and that he has confidence in his jump shot.

Larranaga spoke to the Ringer about his star Freshman. The Hurricanes boss believes that Walker will be able to thrive at either guard spot in the NBA with experience.

"“He has those natural skills that are very easy to evaluate. He’s fast, he jumps, he’s graceful, athletic. He’s that prototype 2-guard in the NBA, but he’s probably going to be able to play both the 1 and the 2 once he gains more experience.”"

Although Walker’s Freshman season didn’t completely go as planned with Miami, he can still be one of the most transcendent players in school history. Walker is likely to be the highest drafted player that Larranaga has had at Miami and since the school brought basketball back in 1985-86.

Next: Is Miami basketball fairly matched in ACC-Big Ten challenge

Walker and Bruce Brown’s draft position will be something that Larranaga and his staff will be able to sell to recruits. Even though they were only at Miami for a combined three seasons, Walker and Brown could have an impact on Miami basketball for years to come.