Kemba Walker retires: Four-time All-Star spent 12 seasons in NBA, led title-winning run at UConn

Former lottery pick and four-time All-Star Kemba Walker announced his retirement on Tuesday. The veteran point guard played in 12 NBA seasons for four different franchises, most notably the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets. He last played in the NBA in 2023 with the Dallas Mavericks. After that, he spent last season overseas with AS Monaco. 

Walker also led the UConn Huskies to the 2011 NCAA title, scoring 23.5 points per game that season.

Walker’s full statement, which he released on social media:

I want to start this by thanking God for everything he has given me. Basketball has done more for me than I could’ve ever imagined, and I am super thankful for the amazing journey I’ve had.

With that, I’m here to share that I am officially retiring from the game of basketball. This has all been a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe the things I achieved in my career.

I know I couldn’t have made it to this point without my incredible support system around me. There are so many people to thank — my mom, dad and entire family, my teammates who have become family, and the coaches who believe in me and brought out the best in me.

Basketball will forever be a part of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next. 

Walker first rose to national prominence at UConn, and is perhaps still best known for his game-winning shot to beat Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Big East Tournament. He then led the Huskies to the Big East Tournament and NCAA Tournament titles later that season, and was named Most Outstanding Player of the latter event. 

On the back of that brilliant run, Walker was selected No. 9 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the then-Charlotte Bobcats. He spent his first eight seasons in Charlotte and made three All-Star appearances, an All-NBA Second Team and helped the franchise make the playoffs twice in 2014 and 2016. (They have not been back to the postseason since then.) 

In the summer of 2019, Walker made an emotional decision to leave the Hornets. He eventually joined the Boston Celtics in a…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kemba-walker-retires-four-time-all-star-spent-12-seasons-in-nba-led-title-winning-run-at-uconn/

Author : Jack Maloney

Publish date : 2024-07-02 20:14:37

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