"He is a Connecticut legend": CBB insider posts tribute for Kemba Walker with a memorable 2011 NCAA title winning shot after retirement decision
Four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker announced his retirement through a social media post on Tuesday. Walker ends his professional basketball career as a 34-year-old, having played in the NBA and overseas. His last stint was in France, with AS Monaco of the LNB Pro A.
With that, college hoops insider, John Fanta posted Kemba Walker’s iconic step-back game-winner against Pittsburgh from his collegiate days as a tribute.
"Kemba Walker has announced his retirement from basketball. The 4-time All Star was a two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award. He is a Connecticut legend, charging the Huskies to 11 straight wins to take the Big East and NCAA Tournament titles," Fanta wrote on his X post.
Kemba Walker, a Bronx native, immediately shot to college hoops fame when he led the Connecticut Huskies to the Final Four in 2011. His game-winner shot came in the Huskies' quarterfinal game of the Big East tournament in New York, en route to five wins in five days.
UConn was seeded 3rd in the NCAA Tournament and surged to the championship game. Huskies met Brad Stevens' Butler Bulldogs in the finals and defeated them by posting a memorable 11-game run, making Kemba Walker the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA Final Four.
Kemba Walker played 12 seasons in the NBA
The shifty guard was drafted at the 9th overall spot by the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) in 2011 and displayed steady improvements through his 8 seasons with the franchise.
He averaged a steady 17 points through 2012-2015 before alleviating his game in the 2016-17 season and garnering his first All-Star selection. Walker’s best NBA season was his last with the Hornets, where he averaged 25.6 points and 5.9 assists on 43.4% efficiency and became the Hornets’ all-time leader in points.
He then played for the Boston Celtics for two years and made it to his fourth All-Star with the franchise. However, injuries began taking a toll on Walker. During his time with the Hornets, Walkers missed less than 40 games in the eight years. However, his Celtics tenure saw him unavailable for more than 50 games in 2 years.
The Celtics traded Walker to OKC after the Orlando Bubble season as the Thunder bought out his contract, allowing him to play 2 more years with the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.
Concerns around his game persisted in NYK as they traded Walker to the Pistons. His contract was bought out again, allowing him to sign with the Dallas Mavericks for just 9 games before the franchise waived him mid-way into the season.