Charlotte Hornets star Kemb Walker announces retirement

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — One of the greatest players in Charlotte Hornets history is calling it quits, as Kemba Walker announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday.

Walker, 34, is the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer after being selected ninth overall in the 2011 NBA draft. Often the smallest player on the court at 6-foot-1, he played eight seasons in Charlotte, scoring a combined 12,009 points between the Bobcats and Hornets.

Walker was just the team’s second All-Star since the Bobcats’ inception in 2004 — having done so three times in Charlotte — and is also the franchise leader in minutes played, field goals, 3-pointers and free throws.

“Basketball has given me more than I could have ever imagined, and I am incredibly grateful for the incredible journey I have had,” he said in the announcement. “It was all a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe what I have accomplished in my career.”

His rookie season was a poor one for the franchise, but just two years later the Bobcats made the playoffs in their final year before changing their name.

In addition to his career franchise records, Walker also holds the record for most points scored in Hornets history. He scored 60 points in a loss to the 76ers in 2018.

Walker was the unofficial host of the 2019 All-Star Game in the Queen City. After his time here, he signed with Boston, where he had one final All-Star season, before moving on to the Knicks and Mavericks in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

The Hornets are honoring Walker for his accomplishments on Tuesday. Fans are encouraged to share a selfie video to congratulate him on his career.

“You can also share your best memory of Kemba on the Hornets! We will choose our favorite videos to post on social media @hornets.”

Before he was drafted, Walker was already a basketball legend. He led the UConn Huskies to the national championship in 2011, the same year the team won five games in five days in the Big East Tournament. That event not only took place in his hometown of New York, but also featured a basketball highlight: He hit 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 words:

“Basketball will always be a part of my life, so this is not goodbye. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”