Kemba Walker retires from pro basketball

Four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker is officially retiring from basketball.

The 12-year Association vet announced his retirement on social media Tuesday after spending the most recent EuroLeague campaign with Monaco.

"Basketball will forever be a part of my life, so this isn't goodbye," the 34-year-old wrote on X.

Walker last played in the NBA on Jan. 5, 2023, his final contest in a brief nine-game spell with the Dallas Mavericks.

An All-NBA selection in 2019, Walker is arguably the greatest player in the history of the Charlotte Hornets, who drafted him ninth overall in 2011. The New York native spent his first eight seasons in Charlotte before leaving for the Boston Celtics in 2019-20. He still holds several of the Hornets' franchise records, including total points scored (12,009), made field goals (4,164), and total 3-pointers (1,283). He's also third all time in games played for the team with 605 and ranks only behind Muggsy Bogues in Hornets assists (3,308).

Walker was also the standout talent of UConn's 2011 national championship roster. He averaged 23.5 points in his junior year with the Huskies under then-head coach Jim Calhoun before leading the school to the title in the NCAA Tournament. He earned the nickname "Cardiac Kemba" thanks to his late-game highlights, including a step-back game-winner at the buzzer to beat Pittsburgh in the Big East Tournament quarterfinal.

Walker also played two seasons with the Celtics, during which he helped take the franchise to the conference finals. However, his time in Boston was hindered by injury, including persistent issues with a surgically repaired left knee that ultimately lingered throughout the rest of his career.

The New York native played 32 games with the Knicks after signing as a free agent in August 2021.