Kemba Walker is a retired American basketball player known for his collegiate and professional career. Drafted ninth overall in 2011 by the Charlotte Bobcats, he previously led the University of Connecticut Huskies to a NCAA championship in 2011, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Walker, a four-time NBA All-Star, was a standout scorer, ranking second nationally in college.
May 8, 1990: Birth of Kemba Walker
Kemba Hudley Walker was born on May 8, 1990.
1993: Larry Johnson Starts in All-Star Game
In 1993, Larry Johnson, representing the Charlotte Hornets, was selected to start in the NBA All-Star Game, marking a significant moment for the franchise.
1996: Glen Rice Achieves 2,000-Point Season
During the 1996-97 NBA season, Glen Rice, then a player for the Charlotte Hornets, achieved a remarkable feat by scoring over 2,000 points, finishing the season with a total of 2,115 points. This achievement cemented his place in Hornets' history and set a high bar for future players.
March 1997: Glen Rice Sets Hornets Scoring Record
In March 1997, Glen Rice set a then-franchise record for the Charlotte Hornets by scoring 48 points in a single game. This record would stand for almost two decades until Kemba Walker surpassed it in January 2016.
2000: Eddie Jones Starts in All-Star Game
Eddie Jones, while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, achieved the honor of being selected as a starter for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game.
2000: Hornets' Last Fast Start
In 2000, the Charlotte Hornets had their last 4-1 start to a season before replicating this achievement in 2016, highlighting a period of struggle for the franchise.
December 2006: Inauguration of Huskies of Honor
The Huskies of Honor, recognizing distinguished members of the University of Connecticut men's basketball program, was established in December 2006.
2008: Top Recruit
Kemba Walker was highly regarded as a high school basketball player, ranked as the No. 5 point guard and the No. 14 player nationally in 2008.
2009: Start of Sophomore Season
Kemba Walker's sophomore season at UConn began during the 2009-2010 season.
2009: Freshman Season at UConn and NCAA Tournament Run
In his freshman year at the University of Connecticut during the 2008-2009 season, Kemba Walker played in every game and was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team. He played a significant role in the Huskies' run to the 2009 Final Four, averaging 25.5 minutes per game despite only starting in two. He notably scored 23 points in the Elite Eight victory against Missouri.
2009: Gallinari Sets Three-Point Record
In 2009, Danilo Gallinari set the NBA record for most three-pointers made through the first three games of a season with 18. This record stood until Kemba Walker broke it in 2018.
2010: Nation's Second-Leading Scorer
During the 2010-2011 season, Kemba Walker was the second-leading scorer in NCAA men's basketball and earned consensus first-team All-American honors.
2010: Leading Scorer and All-District Honors
Kemba Walker became a consistent starter for UConn during the 2009-2010 season, averaging 14.6 points per game and leading the team in scoring for eight of the last nine games. His performance earned him First Team All-District honors from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). However, the Huskies had a disappointing season, finishing 18-16 and losing in the first round of the NIT.
2010: Oscar Robertson Trophy Finalist
Kemba Walker's exceptional performance during the 2010-2011 season made him a finalist for the prestigious Oscar Robertson Trophy, awarded annually to the best player in men's college basketball. Although he finished second to Jimmer Fredette, many journalists believed Walker was the more deserving candidate.
March 14, 2011: First Team All-American and National Recognition
On March 14, 2011, Kemba Walker was named a First Team All-American by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, solidifying his status as one of the top college players in the country.
April 4, 2011: NCAA Championship and Most Outstanding Player
On April 4, 2011, Kemba Walker led the University of Connecticut to victory in the NCAA Division I Championship game, scoring 16 points and earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. This capped off a remarkable season where he was a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and won the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard. Upon returning to Connecticut, Walker was honored with a place in the Huskies of Honor.
June 21, 2011: Mixtape Release
On June 21, 2011, Kemba Walker collaborated with DJ Skee and Skee Sports to release a mixtape. The mixtape featured tracks inspired by Walker's life and basketball journey.
December 11, 2011: Signing with the Bobcats and Starting Role
Kemba Walker officially signed his rookie contract with the Charlotte Bobcats on December 11, 2011. Due to an injury to D.J. Augustin, Walker was thrust into the starting point guard role for the lockout-shortened season.
2011: Under Armour Sponsorship Deal
In 2011, Kemba Walker secured a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Under Armour, a prominent athletic apparel and footwear company.
2011: Big East Tournament MVP and Historic Run
Kemba Walker led the University of Connecticut to an unprecedented run in the 2011 Big East tournament. He hit the game-winning shot against Pittsburgh and led UConn to the championship, earning tournament MVP honors. Walker scored a record-breaking 130 points over the five-game tournament, setting a new high for the Big East and any conference tournament in the previous 15 seasons. This victory marked the first time a team won five games in five days to secure a conference championship.
2011: NBA Draft and NCAA Championship
In 2011, Kemba Walker was selected 9th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA draft. This followed a successful college career at the University of Connecticut, where he led the Huskies to the 2011 NCAA championship and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
2011: Entering the NBA and Signing with Under Armour
After graduating from UConn in three years, Kemba Walker declared for the 2011 NBA draft. Upon being drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats, he signed a shoe deal with Under Armour, becoming the first rookie from his class to do so.
November 14, 2012: First NBA Game-Winner
On November 14, 2012, Kemba Walker hit his first game-winning shot in the NBA, leading the Charlotte Bobcats to a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He finished the game with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.
2012: Rising Stars Challenge Debut
In 2012, Kemba Walker participated in the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend, showcasing his potential as a young player. However, the Bobcats struggled that season, finishing with a dismal 7-59 record.
2012: Improved Performance in Second Season
Kemba Walker showed significant improvement in his second NBA season (2012-2013), averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1 steal per game.
January 21, 2013: Career-High 35 Points
Kemba Walker showcased his scoring ability on January 21, 2013, when he recorded a then career-high 35 points against the Houston Rockets.
December 18, 2013: Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater
Kemba Walker delivered another clutch performance on December 18, 2013, sinking a game-winning jump shot over Jonas Valančiūnas in overtime to defeat the Toronto Raptors. He ended the game with 26 points and 5 rebounds.
February 19, 2014: Career-High 16 Assists
On February 19, 2014, Kemba Walker showcased his playmaking ability by dishing out a career-high 16 assists in a dominant 116-98 victory against the Detroit Pistons. He also contributed 23 points and 5 rebounds in the win.
April 4, 2014: Second Career Triple-Double
Kemba Walker achieved his second career triple-double on April 4, 2014, in a win against the Orlando Magic. He recorded 13 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds in the game.
December 5, 2014: Game-Winning Shot Against the Knicks
Kemba Walker hit a game-winning shot on December 5, 2014, to secure a 103-102 victory for the Charlotte Hornets over the New York Knicks.
January 28, 2015: Kemba Walker Undergoes Knee Surgery
On January 28, 2015, Kemba Walker underwent surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. The surgery was successful, and he was expected to be out for six weeks.
November 23, 2015: Walker Scores Season-High 39 Points
On November 23, 2015, Kemba Walker had a stellar performance, scoring a then season-high 39 points in a thrilling 127-122 overtime victory against the Sacramento Kings.
2015: Signs with Jordan Brand
In 2015, Kemba Walker's sponsorship deal with Under Armour came to an end. Following the expiration of his Under Armour contract, he signed a new endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike.
January 18, 2016: Walker Sets Career-High and Franchise Record with 52 Points
On January 18, 2016, Kemba Walker etched his name in the record books by achieving a career-high and a franchise-record 52 points, leading the Charlotte Hornets to an impressive 124-119 double overtime win over the Utah Jazz. His remarkable performance included an impressive 16-of-34 shooting from the field, including six successful three-pointers out of 11 attempts, and a near-perfect 14-of-15 from the free throw line. This incredible feat surpassed the previous team record of 48 points set by Glen Rice in March 1997.
May 2016: Walker Undergoes Second Knee Surgery
In May 2016, Kemba Walker underwent another surgery to address a torn meniscus in his left knee. This marked his second surgery for the same injury.
November 4, 2016: Walker Leads Hornets to Fast Start
On November 4, 2016, Kemba Walker led the Charlotte Hornets to a strong 4-1 start to the season, their best since 2000. He contributed significantly with a season-high 30 points in a 99-95 win against the Brooklyn Nets.
January 2, 2017: Walker's All-Around Performance Not Enough
On January 2, 2017, Kemba Walker delivered a strong all-around performance with 34 points and a season-high 11 rebounds, but his efforts weren't enough to prevent the Charlotte Hornets from a 118-111 loss against the Chicago Bulls.
March 31, 2017: Walker Reaches 8,000 Career Points
On March 31, 2017, Kemba Walker achieved a significant milestone by reaching 8,000 career points during a game against the Denver Nuggets, which the Hornets won 122-114. He became the second player in Hornets history to reach this milestone, the first being Dell Curry.
May 2017: Walker Undergoes Arthroscopic Knee Procedure
In May 2017, Kemba Walker underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee, aiming to address ongoing issues.
January 10, 2018: Walker's 41 Points Not Enough Against Mavericks
On January 10, 2018, Kemba Walker showcased his scoring prowess with an impressive 41 points against the Dallas Mavericks. However, his efforts were not enough to secure a win for the Charlotte Hornets, as they fell short with a final score of 115-111.
October 17, 2018: Walker Sets Franchise Record for Season Opener Points
Kemba Walker started the 2018-19 season in remarkable fashion by setting a new franchise record for points scored in a season opener. He dropped an impressive 41 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, although the Hornets narrowly lost 113-112. This game marked Walker's 10th career 40-point game, tying him with Glen Rice for the franchise record.
2018: Frustrating Season with the Charlotte Hornets
In 2018, Kemba Walker experienced a challenging season with the Charlotte Hornets. This difficult period set the stage for his move to the Boston Celtics in the following year.
July 6, 2019: Kemba Walker Signs with the Boston Celtics
On July 6, 2019, after a frustrating season with the Charlotte Hornets, Kemba Walker signed a four-year, $141 million contract with the Boston Celtics. This move came after the Celtics lost key players Kyrie Irving and Al Horford to free agency. Walker chose to wear Kobe Bryant's number 8, as his usual 15 was retired by the Celtics in honor of Tom Heinsohn.
October 23, 2019: Celtics Debut against the Philadelphia 76ers
Kemba Walker made his debut with the Boston Celtics on October 23, 2019, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite his 12 points, the Celtics lost 107-93.
2019: Walker Makes All-Star History
In 2019, Kemba Walker was named a starter for the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game, marking his third All-Star selection. He became only the second player to represent the Charlotte Hornets in three All-Star Games, joining Glen Rice. Walker also etched his name in Hornets' history by becoming the third player from the franchise to start an All-Star Game, alongside Larry Johnson (1993) and Eddie Jones (2000).
2019: Start of the 2019-2020 NBA Season
Kemba Walker began the 2019-2020 NBA season with the Boston Celtics, a season that would be later impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 16, 2020: 40-Point Double-Double against the Milwaukee Bucks
On January 16, 2020, Walker delivered an impressive performance with a 40-point, 11-assist double-double against the Milwaukee Bucks, although the Celtics lost 128-123.
December 2020: Stem Cell Injection and Sidelining
In December 2020, the Boston Celtics announced that Kemba Walker underwent a stem cell procedure on his left knee in October. As part of his recovery, he engaged in a 12-week strengthening program, leading to his absence at the start of the 2020-2021 NBA season.
2020: Eastern Conference Finals and Knee Soreness
Despite a season interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kemba Walker helped the Boston Celtics reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020. However, the team faced defeat against the Miami Heat. Walker's performance was hampered by recurring knee soreness, causing him to miss several games.
January 17, 2021: Return to Play After Knee Injury
Kemba Walker returned to the court on January 17, 2021, after a period of recovery following a stem cell injection in his left knee in October 2020, marking his season debut.
June 18, 2021: Trade to Oklahoma City Thunder
On June 18, 2021, the Boston Celtics traded Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The trade package included Walker, a 2021 first-round draft pick (16th overall), and a 2025 second-round draft pick in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round draft pick.
August 6, 2021: Buyout Agreement with the Thunder
On August 6, 2021, Kemba Walker and the Oklahoma City Thunder reached a contract buyout agreement. This move allowed Walker to become a free agent and explore new opportunities.
November 29, 2021: Removed from Knicks Rotation
On November 29, 2021, the New York Knicks made a decision to remove Kemba Walker from their regular playing rotation, opting to give Alec Burks more playing time. This move marked a setback for Walker as he navigated his role with the team.
2021: Playoff Series Against the Brooklyn Nets
In the 2021 playoffs, a bone bruise in his left knee sidelined Walker for games four and five of the Boston Celtics' first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics ultimately lost the series in five games.
January 2022: Knee Problems Resurface
In January 2022, Kemba Walker experienced a recurrence of knee problems, leading to missed games and impacting his playing time with the New York Knicks.
February 2022: Sidelined for the Remainder of the Season
In February 2022, Kemba Walker and the New York Knicks reached a mutual agreement for him to sit out the rest of the season. The decision was made to prioritize Walker's long-term health and address his ongoing knee issues.
July 6, 2022: Traded to the Detroit Pistons
On July 6, 2022, Kemba Walker, along with the draft rights to Jalen Duren, was traded to the Detroit Pistons in a deal that sent a future first-round draft pick to the New York Knicks.
November 28, 2022: Signs with the Dallas Mavericks
On November 28, 2022, Kemba Walker signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Dallas Mavericks, marking his return to the NBA.
January 6, 2023: Waived by the Dallas Mavericks
On January 6, 2023, the Dallas Mavericks waived Kemba Walker, ending his tenure with the team.
July 21, 2023: Signs with AS Monaco
On July 21, 2023, Kemba Walker signed with AS Monaco, a professional basketball club competing in the LNB Pro A (French league) and the EuroLeague, marking his first time playing outside the United States.
2023: Draft Pick Exchange in Trade
In the trade that moved Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a 2023 second-round draft pick was exchanged between the Celtics and the Thunder as part of the deal.
July 2, 2024: Retirement from Professional Basketball
On July 2, 2024, Kemba Walker announced his retirement from professional basketball, concluding a successful career.
2025: Future Draft Pick Involved in Trade
As part of the trade that sent Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a 2025 second-round draft pick belonging to the Boston Celtics was included in the deal.