Auburn freshman guard Simon Walker undergoes successful foot surgery

Auburn freshman guard Simon Walker will miss time after suffering a right foot injury in practice last week, head coach Steven Pearl announced Friday.

Walker underwent surgery Tuesday in Birmingham at Andrews Sports Medicine, performed by Dr. Charles Pitts, and is expected to return later this season.

Walker, a 6-foot-4 guard from Huntsville, Ala., had been turning heads since arriving on campus this summer. Pearl praised his development and mindset, calling the setback “minor” and expressing confidence in Walker’s approach to rehab.

“Simon has been one of our most improved players since he stepped foot on campus this summer, I’m incredibly proud of the strides he’s made,” Pearl said.

“This is a minor setback, and I have no doubt that he will attack his rehab just as aggressively as he attacked his development this summer.”

Walker was a four-star recruit out of Huntsville High and ranked as the No. 2 prospect in Alabama in his class. His return could provide Auburn a midseason boost once he’s cleared.

SCOUTING WALKER

Sources provided these thoughts on Walker’s development and role on this Auburn basketball team in a recent Basketball Insider.

Walker has probably been the surprise among the freshmen. He can really score the basketball and has been shooting great percentages from three. He’s not afraid to shoot, and he’s confident in his shot, which the staff saw in AAU and high school. He’s a great communicator defensively, which has carried over. The speed and athleticism are a step up, but he belongs. He doesn’t back down, isn’t afraid to guard anybody, and his teams win in practice. Coming off a knee injury, he hasn’t lost a step — only gained them. He’ll be in the mix this year.