Four-time All-Star Kemba Walker has officially announced his retirement from basketball after a successful 13-year career, with 12 of those years spent in the NBA.
Walker, who was selected as the ninth overall pick out of UConn in 2011 by the Charlotte Bobcats, shared a heartfelt statement on social media expressing his gratitude for the sport that has brought him so much joy and success.
While bidding farewell to his playing days, Walker hinted that basketball will always hold a special place in his heart, indicating that this retirement is not a final goodbye to the game.
Throughout his career, Walker garnered numerous accolades and achievements, including being Charlotte's all-time leading scorer with 12,009 points accumulated over eight seasons with the franchise.
His peak years came between 2016 and 2020, during which he earned four consecutive All-Star selections and a third-team All-NBA nod in the 2018-19 season when he averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game.
After his tenure with the Hornets, Walker joined the Boston Celtics in a sign-and-trade deal before the 2019-20 season, where he continued to showcase his scoring prowess with an average of 20.4 points and 4.9 assists per game.
However, injuries began to impact Walker's availability on the court, leading to a decline in his playing time and performance in subsequent seasons.
Despite facing challenges, Walker's reputation as a skilled scorer remained intact, earning him the nickname 'Cardiac Kemba' for his ability to deliver in clutch moments, a trait that was evident since his college days at UConn.
Over his NBA career, Walker maintained impressive averages of 19.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41.8% from the field.
As he embarks on the next chapter of his life post-retirement, Walker expressed gratitude to his support system, including family, teammates, and coaches, for their unwavering belief in him throughout his basketball journey.
While his playing days may have come to an end, Kemba Walker's impact on the game and his legacy as a dynamic scorer will be remembered by fans and fellow players alike.
