Kemba Walker stepping up for UConn Huskies in a big way
The pre-season predictions were not kind to the Huskies of
the University of Connecticut
. After losing Jerome Dyson, Stanley Robinson and Gavin Edwards, it looked like the Huskies were set to miss the post-season yet again. Even Huskies coach Jim Calhoun wasn’t sure what
to make of his team, joking about not even knowing their names, let alone their capabilities.
Luckily for UConn and their fans, guard Kemba Walker has stepped up for the team in a big way. While the season is still young, Walker has already become a big name in the basketball world
after leading his team to four straight wins so far this season.
Walker had 18 points in the teams opening game, a 79-52 annihilation of the Stony Brook Seawolves. The following game Walker generated nearly half the team’s offence, scoring 42 points
in an 89-73 win over the Vermont Catamounts. He went relatively easy on the Wichita State Shockers, scoring 31 points in an 83-79 victory.
But Walker’s biggest game thus far was during his team’s 70-67 win over the heavily favoured, number two ranked Michigan State. Walker put up an impressive 30 points that game, including
a game-winning three pointer.
One of Walker’s biggest and most vocal fans seems to be his coach, Jim Calhoun. “We ask him to do nearly the impossible and he’s producing,” Calhoun said to reporters after his team’s
upset victory.
The glowing reviews continued as Calhoun went on to say, “[From] Ray Allen to Rip Hamilton to all the great UConn players…no one has made more progress than Walker. No one has equaled
the work he’s done [on his game].”
Walker should be happy with the comparison to those former UConn greats, both of whom have gone on to win NBA Championships with the Celtics and Pistons respectively.
Walker’s dedication to his game has paid off big time and is showing on the scoreboard. In his freshman year (2008-09), Walker averaged 8.9 points per game. The following season, he improved
on that by averaging 14.6 points a game for a total of 497. After four games in the 2010-11 season, Walker is averaging double what he did last season, with 30.3 points per game, and is on pace to double last year’s point total.
Part of Walker’s success lies in his drive and competition. The guard has always been a big time competitor, trash talking opponents during games; he’s only now showing that he can back
up his words with actions.
Anyone in doubt of his competitive style need only look at his field goal attempts. Walker leads his team with 76 attempts. Alex Oriahki and Shabazz Napier are tied for second with 34.
The key to Walker’s spike in production? “I took a lot of shots this summer,” Walker said in an interview with ESPN. “I wanted to keep my shot consistent, that was the biggest thing. I’m
just trying to keep my shot consistent.”
Like any real competitor however, Walker’s not interested in his stats, just doing his best and winning games. “I’m just playing basketball right now,” Walker said. “I don’t care if I
get 30 points or zero points. I have to pay attention to detail and go out there and give it my best shot.”
In addition to his development as a player, Walker has developed into a true leader. Coach Jim Calhoun already stated earlier this month that he felt Walker was ready to step into a bigger
role for the team. He just wasn’t ready for that responsibility last year, confiding to ESPN, “It wasn’t my role.” Things have changed this year however, “I knew I had to do this being one of the most experienced guys on the team”
“I’ve had some pretty good players in my career,” said Calhoun. “Kemba is developing into one of the great players and competitors. For all of us who love the game, it’s a joy to watch.”
Walker looks to have a bright future ahead of him, and will continue to give UConn fans a reason to cheer this season.
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