Four-time All-Star Kemba Walker has announced his retirement after 13 seasons, 12 of them in the NBA.
Walker, the ninth overall pick of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2011 out of Connecticut, released a lengthy statement on social media announcing his decision to end his playing career.
However, Walker doesn’t seem to want to abandon basketball entirely.
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Kemba Walker, No. 8 player of the New York Knicks, drives the ball up the court during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on February 12, 2022. (Erica Jenner/Getty Images)
“I want to start by thanking God for everything he has given me,” Walker wrote in the statement. “Basketball has done more for me than I could ever imagine and I am so grateful for this amazing journey I have been on.
“With this, I am here to announce that I am officially retiring from the game of basketball. This has all been a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe what I have accomplished in my career.”
As is customary with retirement announcements, Walker thanked those who have influenced him over the years.
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“I know I wouldn’t have gotten to this point without the incredible support system around me,” Walker said in the statement. “I have so many people to thank — my mom, dad and entire family for being the person I am. Family, teammates, and coaches who believe in me and get the best out of me.
“Basketball will always be a part of my life, so this is not goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next.”
The 34-year-old Walker played overseas last year in his final season with Monaco in the EuroLeague, averaging 4.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26 games.
Dallas Mavericks’ No. 34 Kemba Walker watches the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on December 19, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 116-106. (David Burdine/Getty Images)
Prior to this, Walker’s role in the NBA had been diminishing. When he returned to New York in the 2021-22 season, he played only 37 games for the Knicks and only 9 games for the Dallas Mavericks the following year.
However, Walker was a pure scorer during his time with the Huskies, and he immediately brought that to the Bobcats when he joined the league.
Today, Walker remains Charlotte’s all-time scoring leader with 12,009 points, his total in eight seasons before moving to the Hornets.
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Walker’s peak years came from the 2016-20 season, when he was selected to four consecutive All-Stars and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team in his final season in Charlotte in 2018-19, when he averaged a career-high 25.6 points.
Walker joined the Boston Celtics through a sign-and-trade before the 2019-20 season and went on to be selected as an All-Star after averaging 20.4 points and 4.9 assists per game.
However, after signing with Boston, injuries began to derail Walker’s career a bit. He played in just 43 of 72 games the following season, despite playing as gritty as any back in the league in previous years. Walker missed just 35 games total in his first eight seasons.
But when healthy, Walker is a bucket, capable of scoring from anywhere on the court.
His nickname “Heart Kemba” was earned in college for his knack for scoring in clutch situations, including his signature step-back jumper against Pitt in the 2011 Big East quarterfinals to help Connecticut College wins at the buzzer.
New York Knicks No. 8 Kemba Walker reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
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They went on to win the tournament that year and beat Butler in the subsequent NCAA Tournament.
During his NBA career, Walker averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41.8% from the field.
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