“Swag is crazy”: UConn legend Kemba Walkers names basketball stars who impacted his decision to join the Huskies
Despite all the razzle-dazzle in Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets jersey, Kemba Walker’s top highlight stems from the quarterfinals of the 2012 Big East Tournament. The UConn guard dropped an iconic step-back game-winner to beat Pittsburgh. He then proceeded to lead the Huskies to the conference and NCAA championship while becoming the Most Outstanding Player.
While most young athletes commit to college programs due to their basketball tapestry and coaching personnel, Walker might have never donned a UConn jersey had it not been for some program legends.
In an episode of 7PM in Brooklyn, Walker revealed the UConn players who prompted him to choose the Connecticut school.
"It was a couple players. BG - Ben Gordon. Watching Ben Gordon, Khalid El-Amin, RIP (Hamilton), Ray (Allen)," Walker mentioned the players that impacted his decision.
"All of them dudes before me, watching them, the swag. Rudy, Rudy Gay, who's my favorite all-time player from UConn. Watching them dudes, I ain't gonna lie, I gotta go there. I'm watching these dudes, their sneakers. Marcus Williams, all of them dudes, swag is crazy," he added.
Kemba Walker's list harbors some of the best players from 1993 to 2006 to don a UConn jersey, possibly in the program's top 10.
Together, they share 15 first-team honors, nine NCAA team selections, 17 conference selections and over 10 individual accolades including Big East MVP, conference player of the year and most outstanding player of the year titles.
Moreover, three of the players lifted the NCAA titles, as Ray Allen and Hamilton picked up the Larry O'Brien trophy in the NBA.
Kemba Walker is returning to the Charlotte Hornets
Within 24 hours of announcing his retirement from professional basketball, Kemba Walker inked a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to reunite with his first NBA team.
He joins the franchise as a player enhancement coach under the leadership of freshly appointed coach Charles Lee, who's coming off a successful assisting stint with the 2024 NBA champions Boston Celtics.
Walker will also be surrounded by Lamar Skeeter, Blaine Mueller, Josh Longstaff and Ryan Frazier, who have prior experience as a player development coach in the NBA.
Kemba Walker spent his first eight years in Charlotte and garnered three all-star selections. He became the franchise's all-time scoring leader in points, including minutes played, field goals made, 3-pointers and free throws