Kemba Walker: A True Leader



Kemba Walker celebrating with teammates

In the twenty-first century, great college players rarely stick around for more than two years. But in the case of Kemba Walker, matriculating through the University of Connecticut is a priority. Walker is arguably the best point guard in college basketball and he has elevated his “game” each of his three years on the court and in the classroom.

Walker has been lighting up the college circuit all season, specifically this March, by putting up multiple 30-point games and leading the Huskies to a 29-9 record while also winning the EA Sports Maui Invitational and the Big East Tournament. Walker exhibits the will to win and plays hard every minute he is on the court. As a junior, Walker is the third leading scorer in the nation with 29 points per game and he is also accumulating four assists and five rebounds per game.

The impact that this Bronx, NY native has on his team is significant to say the least as he displays veteran leadership that many programs are missing at the point guard position. Not only is he leading the Huskies on the court, but he is excelling in the classroom since he is scheduled to graduate this spring with a degree in sociology. The majority of “star” athletes are not the best students, some may even take advantage of their status and not attend class at all, so what Walker is accomplishing is impressive in today’s standards.

In an interview with Gavin Keefe of theday.com, head coach Jim Calhoun elaborated on Walker’s recent success by saying "Unbelievable. Kemba is not one who's going to really brag about an awful lot of things that he does. Clearly, when he makes up his mind and has a goal, whether it be a difficult or less difficult one, he's going to chase it pretty good. … He's made great strides every place."  

Since 2008, Walker has made vast improvements each season at UCONN.  As a freshman, he was named to the Big East All-Rookie team by averaging 8.9 ppg. The following season Walker was selected to the 2009 All-Big East third team when he averaged 14.6 ppg. This season, Walker earned two tournament MVP awards, the EA Sports Maui Invitational and the Big East Tournament, a spot on the All-Big East first team, and is a National Player of The Year candidate.

The Huskies are having a phenomenal season, but there have been some internal issues within the program due to recruitment violations. The NCAA case includes more than $6,000 in improper recruiting inducements and impermissible phone calls and text messages to prospective student-athletes. Additional allegations include the failure to monitor and promote an atmosphere for compliance by coach Calhoun, failure to monitor by the university, and unethical conduct by the former operations director. Penalties include a suspension for Calhoun for three conference games during the 2011-12 season and scholarship reductions for three academic years.

With all of the scrutiny that the program is encountering this season, Walker continues to show great leadership and is on the verge of leading the Huskies to another Final Four appearance.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 172 pounds, he is projected as a mid-first-round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Though some question how Walker will measure up against NBA guards, one thing coaches and general managers should know is that with his intestinal fortitude and dogged determination to succeed, Walker will compete.