Kemba Walker is returning to the Charlotte Hornets — but in a unique type of role.
The 34-year-old, who announced his retirement on Tuesday after 12 NBA seasons, is joining Charlotte as a player enhancement coach, the team announced
“Basketball will perpetually be an element of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next,” the four-time NBA All-Star said in his retirement statement on social media.
What’s next is joining first-year head coach Charles Lee’s staff in Charlotte.
Walker brings loads of familiarity to the Hornets, with whom he spent eight seasons after being drafted No. 9 overall in 2011.
He holds the franchise records for points, field goals, 3-pointers, free throws and minutes played, while being second within the Charlotte books in assists, third in steals and games played.
He also suited up for the Celtics, Knicks and Mavericks at the top of his 12-year profession, which got here after an award-filled three years at UConn, capped by a national championship in 2011.
Injuries marred the ultimate seasons of his profession, with knee issues shortening his homecoming with the Knicks in 2021-22.
He had a couple of stellar moments on the Garden, including a 44-point blast against the Wizards on Dec. 23, 2021 and a triple-double on Christmas Day, after 37 games, he and the team decided he wouldn’t play for the remaining of the season before Walker was dealt to and purchased out by the Pistons.
Walker signed with the Mavericks that November on a one 12 months, non-guaranteed deal and was waived in January 2023 after making nine appearances for the team.
He finished his NBA profession with 19.3 points, 5.3 assists and three.8 rebounds per game, then spent his last season overseas with AS Monaco.
Walker now returns to Charlotte hoping to assist end the team’s eight-season playoff drought.
Kemba Walker is returning to the Charlotte Hornets — but in a unique type of role.
The 34-year-old, who announced his retirement on Tuesday after 12 NBA seasons, is joining Charlotte as a player enhancement coach, the team announced
“Basketball will perpetually be an element of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next,” the four-time NBA All-Star said in his retirement statement on social media.
What’s next is joining first-year head coach Charles Lee’s staff in Charlotte.
Walker brings loads of familiarity to the Hornets, with whom he spent eight seasons after being drafted No. 9 overall in 2011.
He holds the franchise records for points, field goals, 3-pointers, free throws and minutes played, while being second within the Charlotte books in assists, third in steals and games played.
He also suited up for the Celtics, Knicks and Mavericks at the top of his 12-year profession, which got here after an award-filled three years at UConn, capped by a national championship in 2011.
Injuries marred the ultimate seasons of his profession, with knee issues shortening his homecoming with the Knicks in 2021-22.
He had a couple of stellar moments on the Garden, including a 44-point blast against the Wizards on Dec. 23, 2021 and a triple-double on Christmas Day, after 37 games, he and the team decided he wouldn’t play for the remaining of the season before Walker was dealt to and purchased out by the Pistons.
Walker signed with the Mavericks that November on a one 12 months, non-guaranteed deal and was waived in January 2023 after making nine appearances for the team.
He finished his NBA profession with 19.3 points, 5.3 assists and three.8 rebounds per game, then spent his last season overseas with AS Monaco.
Walker now returns to Charlotte hoping to assist end the team’s eight-season playoff drought.
