Kemba Walker
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| {{Colspan center}} '''Place of birth:''' Bronx, York | {{Colspan center}} '''Place of birth:''' Bronx, York | ||
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| + | {{Colspan center}} '''Nationality:''' {{U.S Flag}} American | ||
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| | colspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|'''Height:''' 6 ft 1 in | | colspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|'''Height:''' 6 ft 1 in | ||
Revision as of 04:57, 13 May 2012
 Walker playing for the Bobcats. | |
| No. 1 - Charlotte Bobcats | |
|---|---|
| Point guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Date of birth: May 8, 1990 | |
| Place of birth: Bronx, York | |
Nationality:  American
| |
| Height: 6 ft 1 in | Weight: 172 lbs |
| Professional debut | |
| 2011 for the Charlotte Bobcats | |
| Career information | |
| College: Connecticut | |
| NBA Draft: 2011; 1st round / 9th pick Selected by the Charlotte Bobcats | |
| Career history | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Kemba Walker at NBA.com | |
Kemba Hudley Walker (born May 8, 1990, in Bronx, New York, USA) is an American professional basketball player who plays at point guard in the NBA for the Charlotte Bobcats. Walker was drafted 9th pick overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Bobcats.
Contents |
Early Life
Walker was born on May 8, 1990, in Bronx, New York, to Paul and Andrea Walker. The youngest of three siblings, he grew up in the Sack-Wern Houses in Soundview, Bronx.
High School
Walker briefly attended Herbert H. Lehman High School, before transfering to Rice High School, in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. While there he was coached by Maurice Hicks, who coached other stand-outs like Andre Barrett, Keydren Clark, and Russell Robinson. In his junior year, Walker played against Simeon Career Academy and senior guard Derrick Rose in Madison Square Garden in a 53–51 win. During Walker's senior year he averaged 18.2 points per game and 5.3 assists per game, earning him a spot on the prestigious McDonald's All-American Team. Kemba played for the New York Gauchos AAU basketball program with fellow Big East players Jordan Theodore, Darryl "Truck" Bryant, Devin Hill, and Danny Jennings. The team went on to finish #1 in the nation.
College
Following high school, Walker agreed to play for the University of Connecticut. During his freshman year at UConn, Walker played in every game. He helped the Huskies achieve a number one seed in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Despite starting in only two games he averaged 25.5 minutes per game, far more than any regular non-starter. He also helped the Huskies go to the 2009 Final Four with a 23 point effort in the Elite Eight vs Missouri. Walker appeared on one of the six regional covers Sports Illustrated. Twelve games into his junior campaign, Walker was the nation's leading scorer, averaging 26.7 points per game. In addition, he averaged five rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
In the 2011 Big East Tournament (during his junior year), Walker hit the game winning shot as time expired to beat #3 overall Pittsburgh and advance UConn to the semi-finals. He led UConn to victory over University of Louisville in the Big East Championship game and was named MVP for the tournament. Walker scored 130 points in five games, a Big East Tournament record and the most points scored in any conference tournament in the past 15 seasons. UConn became the first school to win five games in five days to earn a conference championship.
On March 14, 2011, The United States Basketball Writers Association named Walker a first team All-American. He was also a finalist for College Basketball Player of the Year honors due to his performance in the 2010-11 season. Walker was named the winner of the Bob Cousy Award for the top point guard in the nation. On April 4, 2011 Walker led the University of Connecticut with 16 points in winning the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, and was named the NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Walker was added to the Huskies of Honor upon the team's return from Houston at a pep rally to celebrate the National Title. He became the first men's basketball player to receive the honor since inaugural class was announced in December 2006.
Professional Career
Walker announced that he would leave UConn to enter the 2011 NBA Draft on April 12. He is currently projected by NBADraft.net to go 8th overall in the draft.
