I’m a four-time All-Star who made $198 million in NBA – but historic NCAA title run made me March Madness legend
Not many players have had a bigger impact on March Madness than Kemba Walker. The four-time NBA All-Star, who suited up for the Hornets, Celtics, Knicks and Mavericks during his career, led UConn on an incredible run at the 2011 NCAA Tournament that culminated with an improbable title. Walker was the player of the tournament in 2011’s March MadnessGetty The University of Connecticut had nine losses heading into the Big East tournament and weren’t on many peoples’ radars as genuine contenders at the NCAA Tournament. But ‘Cardiac’ Kemba had other ideas, and his famous step-back jumper against Pittsburgh in the Big East tournament quarterfinals was a sign of what was to come later that month. That game-clinching shot at the buzzer is what ultimately propelled the Huskies to a Big East Tournament victory. Walker scored a tournament record 130 points and UConn became the first school to win five conference tournament games in as many days. UConn ultimately secured a No.3 seed at ‘The Big Dance’ as a result but were still far from favourites. However, in Walker they had a certified scoring machine who was not to be denied. Kemba had a 33-point performance against Cincinnati in the Round of 32 and followed that up with a 36-point performance in the Sweet 16 against the No.2-seeded San Diego State Aztecs. Walker and UConn continued to roll thereafter. They beat Arizona in the Elite Eight with Kemba scoring 20 points before knocking Kentucky out in the Final Four behind Walker’s 18 points. His scoring output propelled the Huskies to a national titleGetty Walker cut down the net after capturing a national championshipGetty That set up a national championship game meeting with Brad Stevens’ Butler who were on a Cinderella run of their own. In a low-scoring game, Walker managed to put up 16 points as the Huskies claimed a 53-41 victory and their third national title overall. The Huskies won their last 11 games en route to winning the 2011 national championship, and much of it was down to Walker. The undersized guard averaged 23.5 points, six rebounds, and six assists during NCAA tournament play and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. It capped off a remarkable year for Kemba, who had already won the Bob Cousy Award for college basketball’s top point guard in the country. Walker’s dominance at The Big Dance put the basketball world on notice and he was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2009 NBA Draft. He became an All-Star while in CharlotteGetty He last played in the NBA for the MavericksGetty It was during his time in North Carolina that Walker established himself as an All-Star for the first time. He eventually moved to the Celtics and was named to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game in 2020, being selected as an Eastern Conference starter. Later that year Kemba received a stem cell injection in his left knee which was the start of persistent injuries that plagued his career. The point guard joined his hometown Knicks in 2021 and missed most of the following season because of knee issues. March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment He signed with the Mavs in 2022 but by the summer of 2023, he had joined LNB Pro A and EuroLeague club AS Monaco. During his career, Walker made $198 million. Now 34, he is back with the Hornets. Walker was hired by Charlotte in 2024, joining Charles Lee’s staff as a player enhancement coach. But he’ll always be remembered for that incredible March Madness run in 2011 and being the star of the tourney. How to watch March Madness in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions. This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years. talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service. Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best
Not many players have had a bigger impact on March Madness than Kemba Walker.
The four-time NBA All-Star, who suited up for the Hornets, Celtics, Knicks and Mavericks during his career, led UConn on an incredible run at the 2011 NCAA Tournament that culminated with an improbable title.
The University of Connecticut had nine losses heading into the Big East tournament and weren’t on many peoples’ radars as genuine contenders at the NCAA Tournament.
But ‘Cardiac’ Kemba had other ideas, and his famous step-back jumper against Pittsburgh in the Big East tournament quarterfinals was a sign of what was to come later that month.
That game-clinching shot at the buzzer is what ultimately propelled the Huskies to a Big East Tournament victory.
Walker scored a tournament record 130 points and UConn became the first school to win five conference tournament games in as many days.
UConn ultimately secured a No.3 seed at ‘The Big Dance’ as a result but were still far from favourites.
However, in Walker they had a certified scoring machine who was not to be denied.
Kemba had a 33-point performance against Cincinnati in the Round of 32 and followed that up with a 36-point performance in the Sweet 16 against the No.2-seeded San Diego State Aztecs.
Walker and UConn continued to roll thereafter.
They beat Arizona in the Elite Eight with Kemba scoring 20 points before knocking Kentucky out in the Final Four behind Walker’s 18 points.
That set up a national championship game meeting with Brad Stevens’ Butler who were on a Cinderella run of their own.
In a low-scoring game, Walker managed to put up 16 points as the Huskies claimed a 53-41 victory and their third national title overall.
The Huskies won their last 11 games en route to winning the 2011 national championship, and much of it was down to Walker.
The undersized guard averaged 23.5 points, six rebounds, and six assists during NCAA tournament play and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament.
It capped off a remarkable year for Kemba, who had already won the Bob Cousy Award for college basketball’s top point guard in the country.
Walker’s dominance at The Big Dance put the basketball world on notice and he was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2009 NBA Draft.
It was during his time in North Carolina that Walker established himself as an All-Star for the first time.
He eventually moved to the Celtics and was named to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game in 2020, being selected as an Eastern Conference starter.
Later that year Kemba received a stem cell injection in his left knee which was the start of persistent injuries that plagued his career.
The point guard joined his hometown Knicks in 2021 and missed most of the following season because of knee issues.
March Madness Top Stories
Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson
‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance
March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant
NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever
Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment
He signed with the Mavs in 2022 but by the summer of 2023, he had joined LNB Pro A and EuroLeague club AS Monaco.
During his career, Walker made $198 million.
Now 34, he is back with the Hornets.
Walker was hired by Charlotte in 2024, joining Charles Lee’s staff as a player enhancement coach.
But he’ll always be remembered for that incredible March Madness run in 2011 and being the star of the tourney.
How to watch March Madness in the UK
*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue
March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions.
This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years.
talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service.
Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.
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