Former All-Star point guard Kemb Walker announces retirement

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Kemba Walker, the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leading scorer and a four-time All-Star during his 12 NBA seasons, announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday.

Walker, who played for Euroleague side AS Monaco last season, spent eight seasons with the Hornets (2011-19), two seasons with the Boston Celtics (2019-21) and one season each with the New York Knicks (2021-22) and Dallas Mavericks (2022-23) during his NBA career.

In his social media post, Walker wrote: “Basketball has done more for me than I could have ever imagined, and I am extremely grateful for the incredible journey I have been on. With that, I am here to announce that I am officially retiring from basketball.”

“It was a dream come true. When I look back, I still can’t believe what I’ve accomplished in my career.”

Thanks, basketball. pic.twitter.com/gLUbQnZMP5

— Kemba Walker (@KembaWalker) July 2, 2024

A Buzz City legend forever ⭐ pic.twitter.com/SNpGTPNd9O

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 2, 2024

The 6-foot-1 guard was a three-time NBA All-Star in Charlotte and then in his first season in Boston in 2019-20. But Walker, 33, has missed significant time recently with knee issues, including playing 37 games with New York in 2021-22 and just nine games with Dallas last season.

Walker retires as the Hornets’ leading scorer and ranks among the franchise’s top three in games played, assists and steals, while also holding the team records for 3-pointers made and attempted, field goals made and attempted and free throws made and attempted.

He averaged 19.3 points over his 12-year NBA career, almost single-handedly propelling Connecticut to the 2011 NCAA championship in a remarkable late-season run.

Walker played most of the pandemic-altered 2019-20 season, the last of five straight seasons in which he averaged at least 20 points per game.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.