Kemba Walker, the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer, announced his retirement from basketball Tuesday, July 2. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — One of the greatest players in Charlotte Hornets history is calling it a career, as Kemba Walker announced his retirement from basketball Tuesday.
Walker, 34, is the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer after being drafted ninth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Often the smallest player on the court at 6 feet tall, he played eight seasons in Charlotte, scoring a total of 12,009 points between the Bobcats and Hornets.
Walker was just the team’s second All-Star since the Bobcats were created in 2004 – doing so three times in Charlotte — and is also the franchise leader in minutes played, and made field goals, 3-pointers and free throws.
“Basketball has done more for me than I could’ve ever imagined, and I am super thankful for the amazing journey I’ve had,” he said in the announcement. “This has all been a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe the things I achieved in my career.”
His rookie season was a low mark for the franchise, but just two years later the Bobcats made the playoffs in their final year before changing the name.
In addition to his career franchise records, Walker also holds the mark for highest scoring game in Hornets history. He poured in 60 during a loss to the 76ers in 2018.
Walker served as the unofficial host of the 2019 All-Star Game held in the Queen City. Following his tenure here, he signed with Boston, where he had one final All-Star season, before stints with the Knicks and Mavericks in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The Hornets are honoring Walker on his accomplishments Tuesday. Fans are asked to share a selfie video congratulating him on his career.
“You can also share your favorite memory of Kemba on the Hornets! We’ll pick our favorite videos to post on @hornets social.”
Prior to being drafted, Walker was already a hoops legend. He led the UConn Huskies to a National Championship in 2011, the same year the team won five games in five days in the Big East Tournament. It was an event not only played in his native New York City, but featured an all-time highlight of him hitting a step-back buzzer-beater against Pitt.
Last season, Walker played for Monaco in the EuroLeague, where he played just 11 minutes per game. He concluded his announcement with the following:
“Basketball will forever be a part of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next.”