Kemba Walker spent solely two seasons with the Boston Celtics, but it surely’s apparent he left his mark with these he performed with throughout that point.
Walker, 34, introduced his retirement from skilled basketball Tuesday after a 12-year NBA profession. He performed this previous season abroad with AS Monaco.
Walker calling it quits created an outpour of affection and help for the undersized guard. A number of present and previous Celtics delivered heartfelt messages for Walker in a congratulatory retirement video created by Walker’s brokers in Excel Sports activities administration.
“It was an honor and a privilege to be your teammate,” Jayson Tatum stated. “From a child that actually grew up and watched you within the NCAA Event, watched you within the league.”
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Tatum’s star working mate Jaylen Brown additionally had heaps of reward for Walker, who was a part of a sign-and-trade to come back to the Celtics in July 2019. The trio performed in a single Japanese Convention finals collectively, which got here within the 2020 bubble.
“The Bronx legend, the person himself. Congrats on retirement. Congrats on having an ideal profession,” Brown stated.
Joe Mazzulla was an assistant coach for the Celtics when Walker was with Boston. Mazzulla and Walker additionally battled on the hardwood in school when the present Celtics head coach performed for West Virginia and Walker starred for UConn.
“I’m a greater participant, I’m a greater individual as a result of I had the dignity to teach you,” Mazzulla stated. “It’s been nice competing towards you.”
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Marcus Sensible is not with the Celtics, however he was appreciative of the time he bought to share a backcourt with the four-time All-Star.
“Thanks for every little thing that you just delivered to the sport,” Sensible stated. “Thanks for every little thing that you just taught me whereas I had the chance to play with you, my man.”
Grant Williams was a rookie when Walker performed his first season with the Celtics. Walker took Williams underneath his wing that 12 months and Williams even stayed on the veteran guard’s home when the NBA shut down on the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You’re like a giant brother to me,” Williams stated. “You all the time handled me with respect. And I’m completely happy to see that you just had an incredible profession.”
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