Today as expected, Kemba Walker announced his decision to enter the NBA Draft after only his junior year. He hasn't hired an agent yet, but intends to and has been talking with some.
"There's no chance that I'm coming back," Walker said.
Jim Calhoun and Walker even joked how UConn doesn't have a scholarship for him anymore and that it was time to go. With Kemba's decision to leave, the Huskies will bring back 4 starters and 9 players for next year from the team that won them the national championship.
Kemba Walker is considered by many to be a first round pick. While perusing the internet, I've even seen suggestions that Walker could potentially be a top five pick and is a top five prospect in this year's draft, albeit being a weak NBA Draft this year. Another reason for Walker to leave school early coming off a stunning breakout season. Connecticut will also introduce blue chip recruit, Ryan Boatright. Personally I don't pay much attention to high school athletes so I YouTubed him and he plays just like Kemba Walker. He's of similar size, very fast, and loves to drive the lane for the layup or the floater, but also can make his jumpers and distribute the ball. Even as a freshman, he has the ability to fill at least some of the void with Walker's departure. When looking Boatright up on ESPN's recruiting page for UConn, one of his listed weaknesses is scoring too much and not passing as much. I believe this will be a non-issue with Shabazz Napier returning, who ran the offense for about the last half of the season because it allowed Walker to get better shots by playing off the ball. With Napier running the offense as an experienced sophomore next year, Boatright can score as much as he pleases because Napier knows how to distribute. Besides, players like Jeremy Lamb, Alex Oriakhi, and Roscoe Smith are going to be looking to play a bigger part in scoring. Next season look for UConn to still contend and maybe look to repeat as national champions.
I'm not only looking forward to next season, but I'm very interested to see the type of NBA player Kemba Walker will become. Walker will become the 27th player Jim Calhoun has sent to the NBA.
Kemba Walker's Press Conference at Storrs, CT:
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