NBA
Former Charlotte Hornets star Kemba Walker retires
After playing for Monaco, countless setbacks and battling with injuries, the point guard has decided to call time on a great sporting career.
Kemba Walker has decided to call time on his playing career. The brilliant point guard who made a name for himself in the Charlotte Hornets leaves basketball at the age of 34 and moves onto a new stage of his career.
Injuries have marked the end of the career of a wonderful player, who built an impeccable reputation in the NBA but who announces his departure after enduring a tough experience in the Euroleague, where he has had a residual role in Monaco. From the bench, he has averaged 4.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1 assist in just 11 minutes on court, with 42.5% from deep and 36% in three pointers.
Long gone are the days when he did mischief with the ball. He was once the leader of a project and a star signing for the Celtics who had their sights set on the ring but were unable to win it with him.
Kemba Walker, grateful for his career in basketball
“I want to start this by thanking God for everything he has given me. Basketball has done more for me than I could’ve ever imagined, and I am super thankful for the amazing journey I’ve had,” the point guard said in a statement shared on social media. “With that, I’m here to share that I am officially retiring from the game. This has all been a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe the things I achieved in my career. Basketball will forever be a part of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next”.
In the NBA, Walker played 12 seasons during stints with the Hornets, Celtics, Knicks and Mavericks. Over the course of his career, he averaged 19.3 points and 5.3 assists, leading the Hornets in points and three-pointers, in addition to being second in assists. He made the All Star team four times and won the Most Sportsmanlike Player award twice. Prior to that, while studying at UConn, he made a name for himself by winning the NCAA in 2011 and being voted MVP of the tournament.
Downward spiral in Boston
Walker’s downfall began in 2020-21, while he was at Boston. He joined the franchise a year earlier and averaged 20 points and five assists, but the elimination to the Heat in the Eastern Finals during the Orlando bubble weakened the chemistry of a wounded squad.
Kemba, who had arrived at the entity to replace Kyrie Irving following his ill-fated switch to the Nets, began to suffer knee problems. He played only 43 games that season, which were reduced to 37 the following season, already wearing the Knicks shirt, the team to which he was transferred, but without avoiding a gradual fall into the abyss that he was unable to recover from.
Luka Doncic’s Mavericks were Kemba Walker’s last great adventure. There, he showed his last great flash of talent despite playing only nine games. Against the Cavaliers he added 32 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in a complete exhibition display that unfortunately, couldn’t bring the team victory. Any hopes of a resurrection when he moved to Monaco quickly evaporated.
The point guard was part of the squad that won the French domestic competition the same season that the Celtics, his former team, won the NBA ring. Now, at 34 years old, Kemba announces his retirement, leaving behind a great legacy, a wonderful professional career overshadowed by recent years of injuries and difficulties. He will be remembered for his enormous talent. One of those stories that is left half-finished, but that didn’t leave anyone indifferent.