Antoine Walker is receiving interest from four to six NBA teams, according to Chico Walker, the forward's uncle.

"He said, 'I made a lot of mistakes,' " Walker, a former member of the Red Sox, said.

"[He said,] 'I made a lot of mistakes and I trusted the wrong people. I realized going forward I have to have positive people around me, just in life period. I have to have a lot of positive people around.' And I think now he gets it."

The younger Walker has endured a DUI charge, reports of gambling debt, real estate gone bad and a bankruptcy filing in May.

Chico estimates Antoine has dropped between 18 and 25 pounds as he continues to improve his conditioning under Louisville coach Rick Pitino's watch.

"He's definitely looking to go into training camp, but he knows it's not going to be a guaranteed contract," said Chico. "He's going to have to go in and make a team, and he understands that. That's where he is in terms of his conditioning. He knows he has to go in there and earn a spot. Nothing's going to be given to him regardless of what he's done in the past.

"I think the main concern is that this other stuff is going to follow him around. Is that going to be a deterring factor for a lot of teams? Hopefully not because basketball-wise, I still think he has a little bit to give to the game. But he has to go in and he has to show that. Nothing?s going to be given to him at this point."