Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker
Walker with the Charlotte Hornets in 2019
Charlotte Hornets
PositionPlayer enhancement coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1990-05-08) May 8, 1990 (age 34)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight184 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High schoolRice (Manhattan, New York)
CollegeUConn (2008–2011)
NBA draft2011: 1st round, 9th overall pick
Selected by the Charlotte Bobcats
Playing career2011–2024
PositionPoint guard
Number1, 15, 8, 34
Career history
As player:
2011–2019Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets
2019–2021Boston Celtics
2021–2022New York Knicks
2022–2023Dallas Mavericks
2023–2024AS Monaco
As coach:
2024–presentCharlotte Hornets (player enhancement)
Career highlights and awards
As player:
Career NBA statistics
Points14,486 (19.3 ppg)
Rebounds2,831 (3.8 rpg)
Assists3,938 (5.3 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Americas U-18 Championship
Silver medal – second place 2008 Formosa Team

Kemba Hudley Walker (born May 8, 1990)[1] is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is a player enhancement coach for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was picked ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2011 NBA draft and also played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks, before finishing his career with AS Monaco. He played college basketball for the Connecticut Huskies. In their 2010–11 season, Walker was the nation's second-leading scorer and was named consensus first-team All-American; he also led the Huskies to a 2011 NCAA championship victory and claimed the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.[2] Walker is a four-time NBA All-Star, a one-time All-NBA Team member, two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award, as well as a LNB Élite champion.

High school career

[edit]

Walker attended Rice High School in Harlem, New York City. During his junior year, Walker played once at Madison Square Garden against Simeon Career Academy and senior guard Derrick Rose in a 53–51 victory.[3] Over his senior year, he posted 18.2 points and 5.3 assists per game,[4] earning him a spot on the prestigious McDonald's All-American Team. He was able to play in the elite New York City Gauchos, the premier AAU basketball program for youth, and was joined by fellow Big East Conference talents-to-be Jordan Theodore, Darryl Bryant, Liam Herman, and Liam Arazi. Walker's team finished No. 1 in the nation.

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Walker was listed as the No. 5 point guard and the No. 14 player in the nation in 2008.[5]

College career

[edit]

Freshman year

[edit]

During his freshman year at the University of Connecticut, Walker played in every contest and was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team. He helped the Huskies achieve a number one seed in the 2009 NCAA tournament. Despite starting in only two games, he averaged 25.5 minutes per contest, easily far more than any regular non-starter.[6] He also helped the Huskies advance to the 2009 Final Four with a 23-point effort in the Elite Eight versus Missouri.[7]

Sophomore year

[edit]

During the Huskies' 2009–2010 season, Walker started in all 34 of their games and contributed an average of 14.6 points. He also led the team in scoring for the eighth time in the last nine games of the season, with 18 points at Virginia Tech. Walker was named by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) to the First Team All-District. Connecticut clinched a 4-seed in the NCAA's 2010 National Invitation Tournament only to fall short to Virginia Tech and finish the relatively disappointing season going 18–16 (7–11) in conference play.[8]

Junior year

[edit]
Walker with Connecticut in 2011

Walker rose to national prominence in his third year at Connecticut. This was because, twelve games into his junior campaign, he distinguished himself as the leading scorer in the nation, posting 26.7 points per contest; in addition, Walker averaged 5 rebounds and 3.8 assists. It was then that he appeared on one of the six regional covers of Sports Illustrated magazine.

In the 2011 Big East tournament, Walker hit the game-clinching shot at the buzzer to beat the Pittsburgh Panthers, ranked No. 3 overall, thereby advancing the Huskies to the semifinals. Walker led UConn to victory in the ensuing Big East Championship against the Louisville Cardinals and earned tournament MVP honors in the process. Over five games in as many days, Walker tallied an unprecedented 130 points, a record of points scored for not only the Big East but for any conference tournament in the past 15 seasons. UConn thus became the first school to win five games in five days and earn a conference championship.[9]

On March 14, 2011, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association named Walker First Team All-American[10] with only Fox Sports picking him to the Second Team.[11] His heroic performance in the 2010–11 season also made him a finalist for the Association's college player of the year honors, the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Despite finishing second to Jimmer Fredette for this award, at least several journalists held that it was rather Walker who deserved the distinction of best player that year.[12] Among other accolades bestowed on him, Walker claimed the Bob Cousy Award for college basketball's top point guard in the nation.[13] On April 4, 2011, Walker, with 16 points himself, rallied and led the University of Connecticut to win the Division I Championship, while he won the honor of NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player.[14] Upon the team's return from Houston, at a pep rally to celebrate the National Title, Walker was added to the Huskies of Honor. He became the first men's basketball player to receive the distinction since the inaugural class was announced in December 2006.[15]

Professional career

[edit]

Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2011–2019)

[edit]

2011–12 season: Rookie season

[edit]
Walker shoots during a game against the Houston Rockets, October 2013

Walker graduated from UConn in three years. Accordingly, he entered the 2011 NBA draft and was selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats.[16] Walker signed a multi-year shoe deal with Under Armour, the first rookie from the 2011 draft class to do so.[17]

On December 11, 2011, he signed the rookie scale contract with the Bobcats,[18] and with the injury of point guard D. J. Augustin, he became their starting point guard for the lockout-shortened season. Walker participated in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend. However, the Charlotte Bobcats only managed to go 7–59 in the lockout season.

2012–13 season: Sophomore season

[edit]

On November 14, 2012, Walker hit the first game-winner of his NBA career against the Minnesota Timberwolves.[19] He finished the game with 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, as well as 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.[20] On January 21, 2013, he scored a then career-high 35 points against the Houston Rockets.[21] During the 2012–13 season, Walker was selected with teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to the 2013 Rising Stars Challenge in which they both scored 8 points.[22]

Kemba finished the 2012–13 season with averages of 17.7 points, 5.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1 steal per contest. He took significant strides over his rookie year.

2013–14 season: First playoff appearance

[edit]
Walker defended by Gerald Wallace in 2013

On December 18, 2013, Walker hit a buzzer-beating jump shot over Jonas Valančiūnas in overtime to beat the Toronto Raptors. He finished the night with 26 points and 5 rebounds on 10/18 shooting from the field.[23] On February 19, 2014, Walker recorded 23 points, 5 rebounds and a career-high 16 assists in a 116–98 win over the Detroit Pistons.[24] Five days later, he was awarded the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, having averaged 22.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in the span of seven days. In a home victory over the Orlando Magic on April 4, 2014, Walker recorded his second career triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Playing against the Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs and with teammate Al Jefferson unable to play due to a Plantar fasciitis injury, Walker had an exceptional game four: he finished the game with a playoff franchise-high 29 points, along with 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. The effort came in a loss as the Heat completed a four-game sweep of the Bobcats.[25]

2014–15 season: Knee surgery

[edit]
Walker with the Hornets in October 2014

In the newly renamed Charlotte Hornets' opening game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 29, Walker led an impressive comeback in an overtime 108–106 victory. The Hornets had been 24 points down by the fourth quarter when they staged a comeback; Walker scored a three-pointer with 1.6 seconds left to force overtime and later hit the shot that clinched the game as well. He finished with 26 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds.[26] The following day, he signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Hornets.[27] On December 5, 2014, Walker hit his second game-winner of the season in a 103–102 win over the New York Knicks.[28] On December 27, in a 94–102 loss to the Orlando Magic, he scored a then career-high 42 points and set a Charlotte Hornets franchise record for most points scored in a half with his 35 points that he posted in the second.[29] On January 3, against the Orlando Magic, Walker scored 30 points to pass Kendall Gill for 10th place on the Charlotte Hornets all-time scoring list with 4,160 points.[30] In three back-to-back games played between the January 3 and 7, Walker scored 30, 33, and 31 points in victories over the Orlando Magic, the Boston Celtics, and the New Orleans Pelicans respectively; he thereby joined Larry Johnson, Glen Rice, and Kelly Tripucka as one of four players in Charlotte Hornets' franchise history to have three or more consecutive games of scoring 30-plus points.[31][non-primary source needed] Walker also hit his fifth game-winner of his career and his third of the season on January 7 in the 98–94 victory over the Pelicans.[32] On January 12, he was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, January 5, through Sunday, January 11. Over the week, he led the Hornets to a 4–0 record and averaged 30.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 36.2 minutes, while shooting .500 from the field (44–88), .364 from beyond the three-point line (8–22) and .893 from the free-throw line (25–28).[33]

On January 28, 2015, Walker was ruled out for six weeks after he underwent successful surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.[34] He returned to action on March 11, after missing 18 games, to score six points in 16 minutes off the bench as the Hornets lost to the Sacramento Kings 106–113.[35]

2015–16 season: Breakthrough

[edit]

On November 23, 2015, Walker scored a then season-high 39 points in a 127–122 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.[36] On January 18, 2016, Walker set a career-high and a franchise-record with 52 points in a 124–119 double overtime win over the Utah Jazz. He made 16-of-34 from the field, including 6-of-11 three-pointers, and was 14-of-15 from the free throw line, breaking the team mark of 48 points set by Glen Rice in March 1997.[37] On March 9, in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Walker became just the third Hornets player to make 500 career three-pointers, joining Dell Curry (929) and Glen Rice (508).[38] Five days later, he earned his fourth career Player of the Week award, and second of the 2015–16 season (first coming on January 25),[39] becoming just the sixth Charlotte player to win the award multiple times in the same season.[40] The Hornets finished the regular season as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 48–34 record. In the first round of the playoffs, the Hornets faced the third-seeded Miami Heat, and in a Game 4 win on April 25, Walker scored a playoff career-high 34 points, helping the Hornets tie the series at 2–2.[41] He topped that mark in Game 6 of the series, scoring 37 points in a 97–90 loss, as the Heat tied the series at 3–3.[42] The Hornets went on to lose Game 7, bowing out of the playoffs with a 4–3 defeat.

In May 2016, Walker again underwent surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee.[43]

2016–17 season: First All-Star selection

[edit]
Walker in 2016

On November 4, 2016, Walker scored a season-high 30 points in a 99–95 win over the Brooklyn Nets, helping Charlotte improve to 4–1 for the first time since 2000.[44] He topped that mark on November 11, recording 40 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 113–111 loss to the Toronto Raptors.[45] On December 29, with 22 points against the Miami Heat, Walker recorded his 7,000th point with the Charlotte franchise when he hit a three-pointer with 4:16 left in the first quarter. He became the fourth player in franchise history to reach that mark, and became the second-quickest by doing so in his 396th game—Larry Johnson passed the mark in his 355th career game with the Hornets.[46] On January 2, 2017, Walker recorded 34 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in a 118–111 loss to the Chicago Bulls.[47] On January 26, he was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.[48] Two days later, in a loss to the Sacramento Kings, Walker moved into third place in franchise history in field goals made (2,586), passing Gerald Wallace.[49] On January 31, he scored 22 points against the Portland Trail Blazers and moved into third place on the team's career scoring list.[50] On March 6, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, February 27 through Sunday, March 5.[51] On March 31, 2017, he scored a game-high 31 points in a 122–114 win over the Denver Nuggets. During the game, Walker became the second player in team history to reach 8,000 career points—the only other player to reach that mark is Dell Curry (9,839).[52]

In May 2017, Walker underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee.[53]

2017–18 season: 2nd Sportsmanship Award

[edit]

On December 4, Walker scored 29 points and made all 14 free throw attempts (tying a career-high) in a 104–94 win over the Orlando Magic, becoming the first player in franchise history with 200 career 20-point games.[54] On January 10, 2018, he had 41 points on 16-of-28 shooting in a 115–111 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[55] On January 15, he scored 20 points in a 118–107 win over the Detroit Pistons, thus reaching 9,000 career points.[56] On January 24, in a 101–96 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Walker became only the second Hornets' player with 900 career 3-pointers, joining Dell Curry (929).[57] On January 31, he set franchise and career-highs with nine 3-pointers and scored 38 points in a 123–110 win over the Atlanta Hawks.[58] On February 4, in a 115–110 win over the Phoenix Suns, Walker scored 18 points and broke the franchise career record for 3-pointers with 930, surpassing the record of 929 held by Dell Curry.[59] On February 8, Walker was named as the replacement for the injured Kristaps Porziņģis in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive All-Star selection.[60] On March 22, Walker scored 46 points with 10 3-pointers in a 140–79 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. It was his ninth 40-point game of his career and third-highest scoring game of his career, as he helped the Hornets record the sixth-largest win in NBA history.[61] On March 28, he scored 21 points in a 118–105 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, surpassing Dell Curry (9,839 points) to become the franchise's career scoring leader. Walker also established a new team record with his 44th consecutive made free throw. That free throw also brought his career total to 1,999, which broke Gerald Wallace's franchise record of 1,998.[62]

2018–19 season: All-NBA selection and final season with the Hornets

[edit]

On October 17, 2018, Walker scored 41 points in a 113–112 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, setting a franchise record for points scored in a season opener.[63] It was his 10th 40-point game of his career, tying Glen Rice for the franchise record for 40-point games.[64] Three days later, he scored 39 points, including the game-winning free throw with a half-second left, to lift the Hornets to a 113–112 win over the Miami Heat. During the game, he eclipsed the career 10,000-point mark.[65] Walker set the NBA record for most three-point field goals through the first three games of a season with 19 (previously held by Danilo Gallinari with 18 in 2009–10) and became the first player in NBA history to make five or more three-point field goals in each of the first three games of a season.[64] He was subsequently named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first week of the season.[64] On November 17, he scored a career-high and franchise-best 60 points in a 122–119 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.[66] On December 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Walker made his 502nd career start for Charlotte, the most of any player in team history, passing Muggsy Bogues (501).[67]

On January 24, Walker was named a starter for the Eastern Conference in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, joining Glen Rice as the only players to represent Charlotte in three All-Star Games. Walker also became the third Hornets player to start an All-Star Game, along with Larry Johnson (1993) and Eddie Jones (2000).[68] On February 6, he had 30 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in a 99–93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[69] On February 9, he hit a season-high nine 3-pointers and scored 37 points in a 129–120 win over the Atlanta Hawks.[70] With 32 points, seven assists and three rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 3, Walker recorded his 26th 30-point game of the season, passing Glen Rice for the franchise record for 30-point games in a season. He also set the franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season when he made his 244th 3-pointer against New Orleans.[71] On April 5, he scored 29 points in a 113–111 win over the Toronto Raptors, thus joining Glen Rice as the only players in franchise history to score 2,000 points in a season—Rice scored 2,115 points in the 1996–97 season.[72] With his 250th made 3-pointer on April 7 against the Detroit Pistons, Walker became only the ninth different player in NBA history to connect on 250+ 3-pointers in a season.[71] He was subsequently named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played April 1–7, marking his seventh career player of the week award.[71] Following the season, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team, his first all-league selection.[73]

Boston Celtics (2019–2021)

[edit]

Coming off a frustrating 2018–19 season, the Boston Celtics would go on to lose franchise centerpieces Kyrie Irving and Al Horford to free agency, opening the door to start a new chapter with a new max-salary player. After Walker and the Celtics showed mutual interest at the start of free agency, he officially joined the franchise on July 6, 2019, through a sign and trade deal with Charlotte worth $141 million over four years.[74] Walker chose to wear Kobe Bryant’s number 8 with the Celtics as his usual number 15 had been retired by the Celtics in honor of Tom Heinsohn.[75]

Walker made his Celtics debut on October 23, 2019, against the Philadelphia 76ers; he put up 12 points on 18 shot attempts from the field in 34 minutes of play during the 107–93 loss.[76] On November 22, during a game against the Nuggets, Walker went down with a neck injury after colliding with teammate Semi Ojeleye. He was taken off the court on a stretcher. He was first diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms, and then later diagnosed with a sprained neck. On November 27, Walker scored a then season-high 39 points in a 121–110 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[77] That season-high would be eclipsed on December 11, when Walker scored 44 points in 122–117 loss to the Indiana Pacers.[78] On January 16, 2020, Walker would post a 40-point, 11 assist double-double in a 128–123 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[79]

On January 20, Walker recorded his first head-to-head win against LeBron James, after having begun his career 0–28 against him. Posting 20 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and a steal, he helped the Celtics come away with a 139–107 blowout victory over longtime rivals the Lakers.[80] Three days later, Walker was named to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game, being selected as an Eastern Conference starter.[81]

The 2019–2020 season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the season resumed, Walker helped the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference Finals, where the team was defeated by the Miami Heat. Walker missed several games during the season due to knee soreness.[82]

In December 2020, the Celtics confirmed that Walker had received a stem cell injection in his left knee in October and had been placed on 12 week strengthening program, sidelining him for the start of the 2020–21 NBA season.[83] Walker made his season debut on January 17, 2021.[84]

In the 2021 playoffs, Walker missed games four and five of Boston's first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets due to a bone bruise in his left knee. The Celtics lost the series in five games.[85]

New York Knicks (2021–2022)

[edit]

On June 18, 2021, Walker was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with a 2021 first-round draft pick (16th selection), and a 2025 second round draft pick from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round draft pick.[86] Walker reached a contract buyout agreement with the Thunder on August 6, 2021.[87]

On August 11, he signed with his hometown team the New York Knicks.[88] On October 20, Walker made his Knicks debut, recording 10 points and eight assists in a 138–134 double overtime victory over the Boston Celtics.[89] On November 29, 2021, Walker was removed from the Knicks' rotation in favor of Alec Burks.[90] He sat for 10 games before re-entering the rotation on December 18 after guard Derrick Rose was injured.[91] On December 23, Walker scored a season-high 44 points, alongside nine rebounds and eight assists, in a 124–117 loss to the Washington Wizards.[92] On December 25, in the Knicks' 101–87 win against the Atlanta Hawks, Walker recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists and became the seventh player in NBA history to record a triple-double in an NBA Christmas Day game.[93]

Walker missed games in January 2022 due to knee problems.[94] In February 2022, the Knicks and Walker reached an agreement that he would be sidelined for the remainder of the season.[95]

Dallas Mavericks (2022–2023)

[edit]

On July 6, 2022, Walker and the draft rights to Jalen Duren were traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a future first-round selection.[96] On October 17, Walker reached a contract buyout agreement with the Pistons.[97]

On November 28, 2022, Walker signed with the Dallas Mavericks, on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal.[98] On December 17, Walker put up a season-high 32 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in a 100–99 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.[99] On January 6, 2023, Walker was waived by the Mavericks.[100]

AS Monaco (2023–2024)

[edit]

On July 21, 2023, Walker signed with LNB Pro A and EuroLeague club AS Monaco, moving outside of the United States for the first time in his career.[101] On October 18, Walker made his debut for Monaco, scoring 2 points in ten minutes of play in a EuroLeague home win over Crvena zvezda.[102] He only played in the EuroLeague during the season, averaging 4.4 points in 26 games.[103]

On July 2, 2024, Walker announced his retirement from professional basketball.[104]

Coaching career

[edit]

Charlotte Hornets (2024–Present)

[edit]

On July 3, 2024, Walker was hired by the Charlotte Hornets, joining Charles Lee's staff as a player enhancement coach.[105]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

NBA

[edit]
* Led the league

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Charlotte 66* 25 27.2 .366 .305 .789 3.5 4.4 .9 .3 12.1
2012–13 Charlotte 82* 82* 34.9 .423 .322 .798 3.5 5.7 2.0 .4 17.7
2013–14 Charlotte 73 73 35.8 .393 .333 .837 4.2 6.1 1.2 .4 17.7
2014–15 Charlotte 62 58 34.2 .385 .304 .827 3.5 5.1 1.4 .5 17.3
2015–16 Charlotte 81 81 35.6 .427 .371 .847 4.4 5.2 1.6 .5 20.9
2016–17 Charlotte 79 79 34.7 .443 .399 .847 3.9 5.5 1.1 .3 23.2
2017–18 Charlotte 80 80 34.2 .431 .384 .864 3.1 5.6 1.1 .3 22.1
2018–19 Charlotte 82* 82* 34.9 .434 .356 .844 4.4 5.9 1.2 .4 25.6
2019–20 Boston 56 56 31.1 .425 .381 .864 3.9 4.8 .9 .5 20.4
2020–21 Boston 43 43 31.8 .420 .360 .899 4.0 4.9 1.1 .3 19.3
2021–22 New York 37 37 25.6 .403 .367 .845 3.0 3.5 .7 .2 11.6
2022–23 Dallas 9 1 16.0 .421 .250 .810 1.8 2.1 .2 .2 8.0
Career 750 697 33.1 .418 .360 .840 3.8 5.3 1.2 .4 19.3
All-Star 4 2 21.0 .452 .280 — 2.3 4.5 .8 .0 11.3

Play-in

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Boston 1 1 33.9 .417 .429 1.000 7.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 29.0
Career 1 1 33.9 .417 .429 1.000 7.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 29.0

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014 Charlotte 4 4 38.3 .473 .500 .778 3.8 6.0 2.0 .8 19.5
2016 Charlotte 7 7 37.1 .366 .326 .943 3.0 4.0 1.3 .6 22.7
2020 Boston 17 17 36.9 .441 .310 .852 4.1 5.1 .9 .4 19.6
2021 Boston 3 3 30.3 .317 .176 .900 4.0 4.0 .3 .0 12.7
Career 31 31 36.5 .412 .324 .868 3.8 4.8 1.1 .5 19.6

EuroLeague

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2023–24 Monaco 26 1 11.0 .389 .364 .778 1.4 1.1 0.4 .0 4.4 4.6
Career 26 1 11.0 .389 .364 .778 1.4 1.1 .4 .0 4.4 4.6

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008–09 Connecticut 36 2 25.2 .470 .271 .715 3.5 2.9 1.1 .2 8.9
2009–10 Connecticut 34 34 35.2 .405 .339 .767 4.3 5.0 2.0 .4 14.6
2010–11 Connecticut 41 41 37.6 .428 .330 .819 5.4 4.5 1.9 .2 23.5
Career 111 77 32.8 .428 .325 .782 4.3 4.4 1.7 .2 16.1

Awards and honors

[edit]
NBA
College
EuroLeague

Personal life

[edit]
Walker in a press conference at Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast

Walker is the son of Paul and Andrea Walker.[107][108] His parents met in his father's native Antigua, while his mother is originally from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and was raised in the Bronx.[109] He has two brothers, Akil and Keya, and two sisters named Sharifa and Kayla.[110]

Walker grew up in the Sack-Wern Houses in Soundview, Bronx.[107][108]

Walker is also a dancer. He performed three times at the Apollo Theater for the TV show Showtime at the Apollo.[111]

On June 21, 2011, Walker released a mixtape in collaboration with DJ Skee and Skee Sports. The mixtape features songs inspired by and inspiring to Walker.[112]

In 2011, Walker signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Under Armour.[17] In 2015, Walker's contract with Under Armour expired. He subsequently signed with Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike.[113]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kemba Walker Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Kemba Walker profile on espn.go.com". Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  3. ^ Lawlor, Christopher (January 11, 2007). "Chicago standout Rose takes stage in New York". USA Today. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  4. ^ "Kemba Walker Rice Basketball Stats 07-08". MaxPreps. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  5. ^ "Rivals.com". Yahoo! Sport.
  6. ^ "Connecticut Huskies 2016–17 Statistics – Team and Player Stats – Men's College Basketball". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008.
  7. ^ Roger Rubin (March 28, 2009). "Freshman Kemba Walker's 23 points helps UConn outlast Missouri". Daily News. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013.
  8. ^ "Kemba Walker Bio". UConnHuskies.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "Connecticut Huskies vs. Louisville Cardinals – Recap". ESPN. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  10. ^ "Walker named All-American". The Day. March 14, 2011. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  11. ^ Goodman, Jeff (March 7, 2011). "Goodman's 2010–11 All-America teams". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  12. ^ "Hard to argue Walker's POY candidacy – FOX Sports". March 12, 2011.
  13. ^ Report: Kemba Walker wins Bob Cousy Award Archived April 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2011
  14. ^ "UConn defeats Butler 53–41 for 3rd national title, Fox Sports, Associated Press". Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  15. ^ "UConn Men Celebrate With Thousands of Fans; Kemba Walker's Jersey Retired. Journal Register News Service, April 5, 2011".
  16. ^ "Sources: Kemba Walker going pro". ESPN. April 12, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Kemba Walker signs multi-year deal with Under Armour". Digital Sports Scene. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  18. ^ "Charlotte Bobcats Sign Guard Kemba Walker". National Basketball Association. December 11, 2011. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  19. ^ "Kemba's game-winner in Minnesota!". November 14, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2015 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "Notebook: Bobcats 89, Timberwolves 87". National Basketball Association. November 14, 2012. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  21. ^ "Kemba Walker Career Stats". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014.
  22. ^ "2013 NBA Rising Stars Box Score".
  23. ^ "Bobcats' Kemba Walker drains overtime game winner to beat Raptors (VIDEO)". December 19, 2013.
  24. ^ "Jefferson leads Bobcats over Pistons again 116–98". ESPN. February 19, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  25. ^ "Heat at Bobcats". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  26. ^ "Bucks at Hornets". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  27. ^ "Hornets Sign Walker to Multi-Year Extension – Charlotte Hornets". National Basketball Association.
  28. ^ "Knicks at Hornets". National Basketball Association.
  29. ^ "Magic at Hornets". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  30. ^ "Kemba Walker scores 30 points as Hornets halt 5-game skid". ESPN. January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  31. ^ "Russell Varner – For anyone curious where..." January 8, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ "Kemba Walker Banks in Game-Winner vs the Pelicans (VIDEO)". January 8, 2015.
  33. ^ "Hornets Guard Kemba Walker Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week – Charlotte Hornets". National Basketball Association.
  34. ^ "Walker Has Successful Surgery – Charlotte Hornets". National Basketball Association.
  35. ^ "Kings at Hornets". National Basketball Association.
  36. ^ "Kings vs Hornets". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  37. ^ "Jazz vs Hornets". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  38. ^ "Pelicans vs Hornets". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  39. ^ "Hornets Guard Kemba Walker Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week – Charlotte Hornets". National Basketball Association.
  40. ^ "Kemba Walker Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week – Charlotte Hornets". National Basketball Association.
  41. ^ "Heat vs Hornets". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  42. ^ "Heat vs Hornets". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on May 1, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  43. ^ "Walker undergoes surgery on torn meniscus". Sports Illustrated. May 9, 2016.
  44. ^ "Hornets vs. Nets – Game Recap – November 4, 2016". ESPN.
  45. ^ "Raptors vs. Hornets – Game Recap – November 11, 2016". ESPN.
  46. ^ "Heat vs. Hornets – Game Recap – December 29, 2016". ESPN.
  47. ^ "Hornets vs. Bulls – Game Recap – January 2, 2017". ESPN.
  48. ^ Whitaker, Lang. "Warriors, Cavaliers dominate selections for NBA All-Star 2017 as reserves are revealed". National Basketball Association.
  49. ^ "Kings vs. Hornets – Game Recap – January 28, 2017". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 29, 2017.
  50. ^ "Hornets vs. Trail Blazers – Game Recap – January 31, 2017". ESPN.
  51. ^ release, Official. "Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker, San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard named Players of the Week". National Basketball Association.
  52. ^ "Nuggets vs. Hornets – Game Recap – March 31, 2017". ESPN.
  53. ^ Zucker, Joseph (May 17, 2017). "Kemba Walker Undergoes Surgery to Repair Knee Injury". BleacherReport.com.
  54. ^ "Walker scores 29 in return, Hornets top Magic 104–94". ESPN. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  55. ^ "Barnes, Ferrell lead Mavericks past Hornets 115–111". ESPN. January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  56. ^ "Hornets control second half in 118–107 win over Pistons". ESPN. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  57. ^ "Holiday lifts Pelicans past Hornets 101–96". ESPN. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  58. ^ "Walker's 38 points, career-high 9 3s lift Hornets past Hawks". ESPN. January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  59. ^ "Hornets rally from 21 down to beat Suns 115–110". ESPN. February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  60. ^ "Kemba Walker Named To Second-Consecutive All-Star Game". National Basketball Association. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  61. ^ "Walker scores 46, Hornets rout Grizzlies 140–79". ESPN. March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  62. ^ "James ties Jordan's double-figures streak; Cavs top Hornets". ESPN. March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  63. ^ "Antetokounmpo scores 25, Bucks top Hornets 113–112". ESPN. October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  64. ^ a b c "Kemba Walker Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". National Basketball Association. October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  65. ^ "Walker scores 39, Hornets survive Heat rally 113–112". ESPN. October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  66. ^ "Jimmy Butler's last-second 3 lifts Sixers in OT despite Kemba Walker's 60 points". ESPN. November 17, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  67. ^ "Towns has 35 points, Timberwolves beat Hornets 121–104". ESPN. December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  68. ^ "Kemba Walker Named Starter for 2019 NBA All-Star Game". National Basketball Association. January 24, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  69. ^ "Mavericks top Hornets 99–93 as Dallas deals Barnes to Kings". ESPN. February 6, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  70. ^ "Walker, Williams lead Hornets past Hawks, 129–120". ESPN. February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  71. ^ a b c "Kemba Walker Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". National Basketball Association. April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  72. ^ "Lamb hits 3-point winner, Hornets beat Raptors 113–111". ESPN. April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  73. ^ "Antetokounmpo, Harden lead All-NBA First Team". National Basketball Association. May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  74. ^ "Celtics Acquire Three-Time All-Star Kemba Walker". National Basketball Association. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  75. ^ "Why 8? Kemba Walker Explains Reason Behind Celtics Jersey Number". July 17, 2019.
  76. ^ "Celtics vs. 76ers – Box Score – October 23, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  77. ^ "Nets vs. Celtics – Game Summary – November 27, 2019 – ESPN".
  78. ^ "Celtics vs. Pacers – Game Summary – December 11, 2019 – ESPN".
  79. ^ "Celtics vs. Bucks – Game Summary – January 16, 2020 – ESPN".
  80. ^ "Kemba Walker on 1st Head-to-Head Win vs. LeBron James: 'It's Only 1. ... 1–28.'". Bleacher Report. January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  81. ^ "Captains LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo headline starters for NBA All-Star 2020". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020.
  82. ^ "2019–20 Season Refresh: Kemba Walker". Boston Celtics.
  83. ^ Kasabian, Paul (December 1, 2020). "Celtics News: Kemba Walker Out with Knee Injury Until at Least Early January". Bleacher Report.
  84. ^ Young, Ryan (January 17, 2021). "Kemba Walker returns for Celtics after knee injury: 'I don't feel anything and it's joy'". Yahoo! Sport.
  85. ^ Geagan, Matthew (June 2, 2021). "Kemba Walker Hopes To 'Feel Good Again' After A Big Summer". Boston.CBSLocal.com.
  86. ^ "Thunder Acquires Kemba Walker, 2021 First-Round Draft Pick and 2025 Second-Round Pick". NBA.com. June 18, 2021. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  87. ^ "Thunder Waives Kemba Walker". NBA.com. August 6, 2021. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  88. ^ "Knicks Sign Kemba Walker". NBA.com. August 11, 2021. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  89. ^ Owens, Jason (October 20, 2021). "Knicks spoil Jaylen Brown's 46-point effort in wild 2OT win over Celtics". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  90. ^ "Knicks' Kemba Walker unhappy with benching, unsure about future with team: 'We'll see'". Fox News. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  91. ^ "Knicks vs. Celtics – Game Recap – December 18, 2021 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  92. ^ "Wizards 124–117 Knicks (Dec 23, 2021) Final Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  93. ^ "Walker's triple-double leads Knicks over Hawks, 101–87". ESPN.com. December 25, 2021. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  94. ^ Bondy, Stefan (January 6, 2022). "Kemba Walker out again; Derrick Rose, not Julius Randle, on first returns of fan All-Star ballot". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  95. ^ "New York Knicks, Kemba Walker agree he'll be sidelined rest of season, sources say". ESPN.com. February 23, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  96. ^ "Knicks Acquire Future First Round Draft Pick". National Basketball Association. July 6, 2022.
  97. ^ Sankofa II, Omari (October 17, 2022). "Detroit Pistons waive veteran guard Kemba Walker, costing them $9.2 million". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  98. ^ "Mavericks add Kemba Walker to bolster ballhandling". mavs.com. November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  99. ^ Guinhawa, Angelo (December 17, 2022). "Kemba Walker explosion sparks Jalen Brunson 2.0 dreams for Mavs fans". ClutchPoints. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  100. ^ Quinn, Sam (January 6, 2023). "The Mavericks waive Kemba Walker after brief nine-game stint to create minutes for younger guards". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  101. ^ AS Monaco Basket [@ASMonaco_Basket] (July 21, 2023). "ᴋᴇᴍʙᴀ ᴡᴀʟᴋᴇʀ ᴇsᴛ ᴍᴏɴéɢᴀsǫᴜᴇ 🔴⚪️ ✍️ L'AS Monaco est heureuse d'annoncer la signature pour la saison à venir du meneur américain 🇺🇸 4️⃣ fois All-Star 🌟 le meilleur marqueur de l'histoire des Charlotte Hornets (12 009 points) a disputé 750 matchs en NBA 🔛 🚀 Scoreur d'exception, il apportera son expérience et sa maestria à la mène en Principauté 🇲🇨" (Tweet) (in French). Retrieved July 22, 2023 – via Twitter.
  102. ^ "Kemba Walker makes dull EuroLeague debut, but Monaco secures first win". basketnews.com. October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  103. ^ Sam Perley (November 15, 2024). "Kemba Walker Reaches Finality Of Playing Career, Finds Closure In Monaco". NBA.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  104. ^ Adams, Luke (July 2, 2024). "Kemba Walker Announces Retirement". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  105. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Finalize 2024–25 Coaching Staff". NBA.com. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  106. ^ "KEMBA WALKER Profile | EuroLeague". Euroleague Basketball. December 11, 2023.
  107. ^ a b Begley, Ian (June 19, 2007). "Walk this way: Kemba can relax, now that he's settled on Connecticut". Daily News. New York.
  108. ^ a b Lupica, Mike (March 11, 2011). "Kemba Walker and Dwight Hardy both make Bronx love at Garden, but Walker steals the spotlight". Daily News. New York.
  109. ^ Robbins, Lenn (March 31, 2011). "Selfless star Walker is heart of Huskies". New York Post. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  110. ^ "KEMBA WALKER". uconnhuskies.com. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  111. ^ Rubin, Roger (November 25, 2009). "UConn's Kemba Walker retraces steps to Manhattan's Rice High School". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011.
  112. ^ Phillips, Aron (June 21, 2011). "Kemba Walker Drops The 'EZ Pass' Mixtape With DJ Skee". Dime Magazine.
  113. ^ "Kemba Walker Leaves Under Armour for Jordan Brand". Slam. October 10, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kemba Walker.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kemba_Walker&oldid=1260102758"