Four-time NBA All-Star point guard Kemba Walker announced his retirement on Tuesday, thanking basketball for the “amazing journey.”
Walker was selected Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA Tournament won by UConn in 2011, months before Charlotte selected him with the No. 9 overall pick of the NBA draft.
He played eight seasons in Charlotte before signing a four-year, $141 million contract in July 2019 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics.
After two seasons with the Celtics, he bounced around the NBA, traded and released twice, and finishing his career with short stints with the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.
Walker, 34, played overseas in Monaco in the 2023-24 season and ends his NBA career with averages of 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 33.1 minutes in 750 games (697 starts). He made four straight All-Star Games from 2017-20, and was All-NBA third team for the 2018-19 season.
“Basketball has done more for me than I could’ve ever imagined, and I am super thankful for the amazing journey I’ve had,” the 6-foot guard posted to social media.
“This has all been a dream,” continued Walker, who twice won the Joe Dumars Trophy for sportsmanship. “When I look back, I still can’t believe the things I achieved in my career. … Basketball will forever be a part of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next.”
–Field Level Media