Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kemba Walker

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kemba Walker made an impact.

Kemba Walker is an American former professional basketball player and current player enhancement coach for the Charlotte Hornets. Drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2011, he played for multiple NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks, before a stint with AS Monaco. A standout college player for the Connecticut Huskies, Walker led them to a 2011 NCAA championship, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award and consensus first-team All-American honors. His NBA career highlights include four All-Star selections, an All-NBA Team selection, two NBA Sportsmanship Awards, and a LNB Élite championship.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2009: Freshman Year at UConn

During his freshman year in 2009 at the University of Connecticut, Kemba Walker played in every game, was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team, and helped the Huskies reach a number one seed in the NCAA tournament and advance to the Final Four.

2010: Started in all games for the Huskies

During the 2009-2010 season, Kemba Walker started in all 34 games for the Huskies, averaging 14.6 points and being named to the First Team All-District by the USBWA.

December 11, 2011: Signed Rookie Contract with Bobcats

On December 11, 2011, Kemba Walker signed his rookie scale contract with the Charlotte Bobcats.

2011: NBA Draft and Under Armour Deal

In 2011, Kemba Walker entered the NBA draft, was selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats, and signed a multi-year shoe deal with Under Armour.

2011: Big East Tournament

In the 2011 Big East tournament, Kemba Walker hit the game-clinching shot against Pittsburgh and led UConn to victory in the Big East Championship against Louisville, earning tournament MVP honors. He scored 130 points over five games, setting a Big East record.

November 14, 2012: First NBA Game-Winner

On November 14, 2012, Kemba Walker hit the first game-winning shot of his NBA career against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2012: Rising Stars Challenge

In 2012, Kemba Walker participated in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

January 21, 2013: Career-High Points Against Rockets

On January 21, 2013, Kemba Walker scored a then career-high 35 points against the Houston Rockets.

December 18, 2013: Buzzer-Beating Shot Against Raptors

On December 18, 2013, Kemba Walker hit a buzzer-beating jump shot to beat the Toronto Raptors in overtime.

February 19, 2014: Career-High Assists

On February 19, 2014, Kemba Walker recorded a career-high 16 assists in a win over the Detroit Pistons.

April 4, 2014: Recorded Second Triple-Double

On April 4, 2014, Kemba Walker recorded his second career triple-double in a victory over the Orlando Magic.

December 5, 2014: Game-Winner Against Knicks

On December 5, 2014, Kemba Walker hit a game-winning shot in a 103–102 win over the New York Knicks.

November 23, 2015: Season-High Points

On November 23, 2015, Kemba Walker scored a then season-high 39 points in a 127-122 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.

January 18, 2016: Career-High 52 Points

On January 18, 2016, Kemba Walker set a career-high and franchise-record with 52 points in a 124-119 double overtime win against the Utah Jazz.

November 4, 2016: Season-High Points

On November 4, 2016, Kemba Walker scored a season-high 30 points in a 99-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

January 2, 2017: Season-High Rebounds

On January 2, 2017, Kemba Walker recorded 34 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in a 118-111 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

March 31, 2017: Reached 8,000 Career Points

On March 31, 2017, Kemba Walker scored 31 points in a 122-114 win over the Denver Nuggets and became the second player in team history to reach 8,000 career points.

January 10, 2018: 41 Points Against Mavericks

On January 10, 2018, Kemba Walker had 41 points on 16-of-28 shooting in a 115-111 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

October 17, 2018: Walker scores 41 points in season opener

On October 17, 2018, Kemba Walker set a franchise record for points scored in a season opener with 41 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. This marked his 10th 40-point game, tying Glen Rice for the franchise record for 40-point games.

July 6, 2019: Walker joins the Boston Celtics

On July 6, 2019, Kemba Walker officially joined the Boston Celtics through a sign and trade deal with Charlotte, worth $141 million over four years. He chose to wear Kobe Bryant’s number 8.

October 23, 2019: Walker debuts for the Celtics

On October 23, 2019, Kemba Walker made his debut for the Boston Celtics against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 12 points in 34 minutes.

January 16, 2020: Walker posts 40-point double-double

On January 16, 2020, Kemba Walker posted a 40-point, 11-assist double-double in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

January 17, 2021: Walker's season debut after stem cell injection

On January 17, 2021, Kemba Walker made his season debut for the Celtics after recovering from a stem cell injection in his left knee and a 12-week strengthening program.

June 18, 2021: Walker traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder

On June 18, 2021, Kemba Walker was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with a 2021 first-round draft pick and a 2025 second-round draft pick, in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round draft pick.

August 6, 2021: Walker reaches contract buyout with Thunder

On August 6, 2021, Kemba Walker reached a contract buyout agreement with the Oklahoma City Thunder, paving the way for him to become a free agent.

July 6, 2022: Walker traded to Detroit Pistons

On July 6, 2022, Kemba Walker, along with the draft rights to Jalen Duren, were traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a future first-round selection.

November 28, 2022: Walker signs with Dallas Mavericks

On November 28, 2022, Kemba Walker signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Dallas Mavericks, marking another chapter in his NBA career.

January 6, 2023: Mavericks waive Walker

On January 6, 2023, Kemba Walker was waived by the Dallas Mavericks, ending his brief stint with the team.

July 21, 2023: Walker signs with AS Monaco

On July 21, 2023, Kemba Walker signed with AS Monaco, marking his first time playing professionally outside of the United States.

July 3, 2024: Walker joins Charlotte Hornets coaching staff

On July 3, 2024, Kemba Walker was hired by the Charlotte Hornets as a player enhancement coach, joining Charles Lee's staff and beginning his post-playing career.