University of Connecticut Athletics
Kemba Walker Drafted No. 9 By The Charlotte Bobcats
6/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 23, 2011
NEWARK, N.J. - The 2011 NBA Draft was held tonight (Thursday) at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. and former UConn great Kemba Walker was drafted No. 9 by the Charlotte Bobcats.
Walker becomes UConn's 11th lottery pick and 16th first round selection. He's the latest first round selection since Hasheem Thabeet was drafted No. 2 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009.
Walker completed one of the greatest seasons in UConn history in 2010-11, leading Connecticut to the 2011 NCAA Championship, the program's third overall. On the way, Walker was named a Consensus First Team All-American while also being presented with the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard.
Walker was one of just two players in the NCAA to finish the season averaging over 20 points, five rebounds and four assists. On the year, Walker registered 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
The junior point guard graduated from Connecticut in just three years. During his senior season, he was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team.
Walker led Connecticut to an unprecedented run in the BIG EAST Tournament, highlighted by the game-winning shot as time expired against Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals. The Huskies took New York City by storm, becoming the first team to ever win five games in five days.
Walker led UConn to six-straight victories in the NCAA Tournament and was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Following the season, Walker was enshrined into the Huskies of Honor and will now have his jersey number hang on the walls of famed Gampel Pavilion.
