Four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker announces retirement after 12 seasons

Four-time NBA All-Star guard Kemba Walker has called time on his basketball career after playing overseas this past season.

The 34-year-old Walker, who played in the EuroLeague with AS Monaco over the last 12 months, announced his decision Tuesday on social media.

Walker averaged 19.3 points in 750 career regular-season games with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2011-19), Boston Celtics (2019-21), New York Knicks (2021-22) and Dallas Mavericks (2023).

He made four straight All-Star Game appearances from 2017-20 and was a third-team all-NBA selection during the 2018-19 season, his final year with Charlotte.

That followed a stellar college career at UConn. Walker led UConn to a 2011 national title and was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four that year.

I know I couldn't have made it to this point without my incredible support system around me,' Walker posted on X.

'There are so many people to thank - my mom, dad and entire family, my teammates who have become family, and the coaches who believed in me and brought the best in me.

'Basketball will forever be a part of my life, so this isn't a goodbye. I'm excited for what's next.'

Walker, the ninth overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, played eight seasons in Charlotte before signing a four-year, $141million contract in July 2019 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Celtics.

After two injury-riddled seasons with the Celtics, he bounced around the NBA, as he was traded and released twice before finishing his career in the league with short stints in New York and Dallas.

This past season, Walker, who is a two-time recipient of the NBA Sportsmanship Award, only averaged 4.4 points per game in Monaco.

'Basketball has done more for me than I could've ever imagined, and I am super thankful for the amazing journey I've had,' the 6-foot guard said on social media.

'When I look back, I still can't believe the things I achieved in my career...'