![]() If Walker's health can improve, the four-time All-Star could have a big season with the Knickerbockers.įor the first time since 2014-15, Walker struggled with injuries. Keep in mind though, Walker hasn't averaged six or more assists per game since 2013-14 with Charlotte. Regardless, on a Knicks squad anxious to find scoring punch in the backcourt, expect Walker to continue his aggressive shooting approach and his three-year average of 21.8 points per game. Those traits are in conflict when deciding whether Walker's 31.8 minutes per game from last season will go up or down. Coach Thibodeau loves to give his starters extended minutes and is also a huge Rose supporter. Fortunately, with former-MVP Derrick Rose backing up Walker at point guard, New York can afford to rest Walker when need be. Most of those absences were due to a tricky knee issue that also forced him to miss two of Boston's five 2021 playoff games. With Boston, Walker missed 45 out of 144 regular season games. The big question with the 31-year-old veteran is health. Walker was an unrestricted free agent who can now revitalize his career on a playoff squad in his hometown. New York lacked talent at the point guard position and had lots of cap space. Then late in the free agency period, OKC decided to buy out Walker and the Knicks quickly signed the speedy veteran. In mid-June, 2020, the Celtics sent Walker and a 2021 first-round pick to Oklahoma City for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2025 second-round pick. Given his recent struggles, it's likely a contending team brings him in as a backup/emergency option during the regular season with the hope that he can revitalize his career as a score-first point guard off the bench.Īfter two challenging seasons in Boston, Walker returns home to NYC and the Knicks. Walker is only one year removed from averaging at least 19.0 points per game across six straight seasons, but the 2011 first-round pick offers little value to a team in the midst of a rebuild. Washington (Monte Morris) and San Antonio (Tre Jones) are the only two teams in the NBA without a bonafide, long-term starter at point guard, but it remains unclear if either squad would be interested in bringing in an aging veteran with an injury-plagued past. Walker appeared in 37 games for New York last year and averaged 11.6 points, 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds before being shut down for the remainder of the campaign due to a lingering knee issue. However, Walker and Detroit quickly reached a buyout agreement, and the veteran point guard has remained a free agent since the transaction. The Knicks traded Walker, along with Alec Burks, to the Pistons this offseason to create cap space to sign Jalen Brunson. Walker was named the NCAA Basketball Tournament's Most Outstanding Player as well as a First Team Consensus All-American, and he also captured numerous other accolades. In his third season, he improved his scoring to 23.5 points per game. But Walker, as a junior, delivered true success during the 2010-11 season, leading the Huskies to their third National Championship. In his sophomore year, he started 34 games for the Huskies, increasing his production to 14.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.3 boards and 2.1 steals per game. He was also named to the Big East All-Rookie Team. During his freshman season, he appeared in all 36 of UConn's games, averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and an impressive 1.1 steals in 25.2 minutes per contest. In 2016-17 and then again in 2017-18, Walker was awarded the NBA Sportsmanship Award, which is given to a player who most "exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court with ethical behavior, fair play and integrity." You can follow Walker on Facebook, and at instagram and on twitter Kemba Walker showed incredible improvement during his three-year stint at the University of Connecticut. ![]() Every summer, Kemba returns to his hometown Bronx to host a free basketball camp for the area's youth. National Team from August 10 to 13 in preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Championships. ![]() During the summer of 2010, Walker was one of 10 collegiate athletes named to the USA Select Team that trained with the U.S. While at the University of Connecticut, Walker majored in sociology. During his days at Rice High School, he was named to the 2007-08 McDonald's All American team after his senior season. Walker grew up in the Bronx borough of New York. The point guard has three siblings: Sharifa Nesbitt, Akil Nesbitt and Keya Edwards. Kemba Hudley Walker is the son of Paul and Andrea Walker.
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