University of Connecticut Athletics
Kemba Walker Enters Into NBA Draft
4/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 12, 2011
Walker and Coach Calhoun Quotes in PDF Format 
STORRS, Conn. - UConn All-American Kemba Walker (Bronx, N.Y.) announced today at a press conference in Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on the UConn campus that he will enter into the 2011 NBA Draft. Walker was a 2011 Consensus First Team All-American.
"I want to take this time to thank everybody. Thank Coach Calhoun for turning me into a man from day one. Most importantly, to thank my parents for being very supportive of everything I've done in life. I want to thank my teammates for being my brothers really. I love those guys. I think it's the right time for me to go to the NBA. I've accomplished a lot in my college career. Coach did a great job preparing me to play at that level," said Walker.
Walker was a unanimous Consensus First Team All-American this season and led UConn to its third National Championship. Walker averaged 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his third and final season with Connecticut.
"I told him it's time for him to move on. Just like he will this summer when he completes all his school work, he'll graduate. He's graduating basketball-wise too. It's an incredible happy day for all of us and his incredibly wonderful family and for Kemba," said Head Coach Jim Calhoun.
Walker led UConn to an improbable run to the BIG EAST Tournament Championship and to a National Championship. Walker led the Huskies to an unprecedented five victories in five days to win the BIG EAST Title before taking Connecticut to six-straight victories en route to a third National Championship.
"He's ready to move on as a man. He's ready to move on as a basketball player - emotionally and physically. He's completed the finest basketball season in the history of this University. He's done everything humanly possible you can do, including a National Championship," added Calhoun.
Connecticut enshrined Walker into the Huskies of Honor at the National Championship pep rally in Gampel Pavilion last week. Walker's name now hangs on the wall of Gampel Pavilion along with all-time greats Ray Allen, Emeka Okafor, Richard Hamilton and Jim Calhoun.
"The whole state of Connecticut has been very supportive throughout my whole career here. Connecticut will always be my home regardless of anything. I'll never forget this place. This place raised me. I'm just happy to say that I've played in this program. For my name to be remembered here is very special," concluded Walker.
The 2011 NBA Draft is set for Thursday, June 23 in Newark, N.J.
