Kemba Walker on NBA players going to Europe: 'It's a great experience' / News - Basketnews.com

Walked hoped he could contribute to Monaco's wins regardless of his playing time and complimented the Crvena Zvezda atmosphere, saying it was everything he was told it would be.

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic / Contributor / Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic / Contributor / Getty Images

After long months of recovering from injuries, Kemba Walker played his first game for AS Monaco in the EuroLeague. It is a new stage of his basketball career, one he is thankful for.

Kemba Walker

Team:AS MonacoPosition:PGAge:33Height:185 cmWeight:84 kgBirth place:Bronx, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

In a game against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Kemba missed all three of his field goals in 10 minutes of playing time but converted both free throws and opened up his points account in Europe.

"It was amazing. It was everything that everybody told me it would be. The fans were great, I really appreciate seeing that," Walker told the media after the game.

"I thought we made it tough on everybody, especially in the fourth. Those guys are really good, they just didn't make shots on the stretch," he explained.

Basketball in Europe, and especially in the EuroLeague, is different. With no defensive three-second rule, a smaller court, and a more physical, tactical game, it usually takes time for newcomers to adjust.

"I don't know yet," he said when asked about adjusting to European basketball. "It's going to take some time for me to get some rhythm. I have to get myself in the game rhythm. But still, like I said, I had a lot of fun, I had fun in the short minutes I played. My whole thing is to get myself in the rhythm so I can help my team more."

Although he's playing, Kemba is still not at 100%. Monaco is taking extra precautions in the player's recovery, making sure that Walker doesn't aggravate anything.

"I'm not sure yet. Hopefully, I can get there," Walker said about getting to full strength. "Hopefully, I can just contribute, that's all I'm worried about. I want to be able to help this team more, that's my main focus."

This offseason, multiple NBA-level names chose to play in Europe. Willy Cauley-Stein, Jabari Parker, Willy Hernangomez, Jahlil Okafor are just a few of the names. Asked whether it's a new trend in basketball, Kemba singled out the fan experience.

"It's a great experience. A crowd like this is not something that we would experience on any other level besides college. I'm happy I'm here, and I'm happy I made the choice to be a part of this club," he concluded.

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