Kemba Walker Wins in Emotional Return to Charlotte

Kemba Walker with Charlotte Hornets in 2017. Photo by Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock
Kemba Walker (15) with Charlotte Hornets in 2017. Photo by Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock (8411824d)

Former Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker made his first trip back to Buzz City on Thursday night since joining the Boston Celtics this off-season. It was an emotional night for the Hornets franchise legend, who was honored before the game with a video detailing his career highlights and honoring his eight years with the team.

The former UConn Husky, who averaged 19.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for Charlotte since being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, has a special place in the heart of Hornets fans.

Walker summed up the evening by saying, “It was special. Just to be back here and the amount of love I’ve been getting throughout this day, leading up to this day, it’s been a lot of love and the video just topped it off. It’s special and it definitely obviously made me really emotional.”

The 29-year-old point guard shed a few tears as he watched the video dedication that the Hornets played before the beginning of the game.

Walker, clearly affected by his emotions, scored 14 points on 4-12 shooting along with 6 assists in his team’s 108-87 blowout win.

The Celtics have moved to 6-1 with their Thursday night win, while the Hornets now find themselves at .500 with a 4-4 record.