Kemba Walker, the all-time leading scorer for the Charlotte Hornets and a four-time NBA All-Star, announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday. Walker’s decision marks the end of a remarkable 12-season career in the NBA.
A Remarkable Journey Through the NBA and Beyond
Walker, who most recently played for AS Monaco in the Euroleague, spent the majority of his NBA career with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets, where he played from 2011 to 2019. He also had stints with the Boston Celtics (2019-2021), New York Knicks (2021-2022), and Dallas Mavericks (2022-2023).
In a heartfelt social media post, Walker expressed his gratitude for his basketball journey, stating, “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.”
Kemba Walker Achievements and Legacy
The 6-foot guard was a three-time NBA All-Star during his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets and earned another All-Star selection in his first season with the Boston Celtics in 2019-2020. Despite his achievements, Walker faced significant challenges with knee issues in recent years, limiting his playtime to 37 games with the Knicks in the 2021-2022 season and only nine games with the Mavericks last season.
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Walker leaves an indelible mark on the Hornets’ franchise, retiring as the team’s all-time leading scorer. He also ranks in the top three for games played, assists, and steals in the team’s history. Additionally, he holds the franchise records for 3-pointers made and attempted, field goals made and attempted, and free throws made and attempted.
A Stellar College Career and Consistent NBA Performance
Before his NBA career, Walker had a stellar college run at UConn, leading the team to a national title in 2011 and earning the title of the most outstanding player of the Final Four that year. His college success translated well into the NBA, where he averaged 19.3 points per game over his 12-year career. Notably, Walker maintained an impressive scoring average of at least 20 points per game for five consecutive seasons, including the pandemic-altered 2019-2020 season.
Reflecting on a Dream Career
As he looks back on his career, Walker remains in awe of his accomplishments. “This has been a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe the things I achieved in my career,” he shared in his retirement announcement.
Kemba Walker’s retirement marks the end of a significant era in the NBA, with his legacy as a top scorer and a formidable player firmly cemented in basketball history.