Kemba Walker on his move to Europe: 'I wanted to give myself one last chance' / News - Basketnews.com

Kemba Walker feels he's already left his mark in the NBA. He wanted to compete at a high level and feels like people overlook the EuroLeague.

Credit: David Berding/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit David Berding/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Kemba Walker's signing with AS Monaco was one of the biggest stories in the last EuroLeague's offseason. However, the player hasn't made his debut yet as he's still recovering from injuries.

Kemba Walker

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

The former All-Star guard has been plagued with injuries recently. Before coming to Europe, he played just 9 games in the 2022-23 NBA season for the Dallas Mavericks before getting waived.

Asked when he was last fully healthy, the player said you'd have to go a full five years back.

"When you play at this level, it's rare to be 100%. Many players deal with persistent injuries. It's the same for me - it's been years since I felt 100%. Maybe a little in Boston, but the last time was probably in Charlotte," he told in an interview with Sami Sadik from L'Equipe.

Since signing with Monaco, Kemba's been working with the club's medical staff.

"These two months were as fun as they were difficult, and it paid off," Walker said. "The team put me to work to regain my physical strength and confidence. It was a pleasure to be with these guys. I think that at the club, they are the ones I am closest to at the moment."

After a long rehab program, the star guard joined Monaco's team practice for the first time this past Tuesday.

"I was like a kid in a candy store," Kemba laughed. "Both nervous and excited. I was just happy to finally be on the floor with the rest of the team. I love basketball, I want to continue playing, fighting. My journey has brought me here, and I can't wait."

Playing in the EuroLeague will be a new step for Walker, a completely different one than he has experienced before.

"I wasn't thinking about retirement yet. I wanted to give myself one last chance," he said when asked whether thoughts about calling it quits ever came.

3-pointers this season

33%8,0Points made:8,0Accuracy:33,3%Place in standings:12Record max:8Record min:8Most made 3FGs:Elie OkoboTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"I played in the NBA for a long time, and I think I left my mark in the league. I had a great career there. It doesn't matter what league I play in," the player shared. "Maybe if the situation had presented itself earlier in my career, I would've wanted to stay in the NBA, but I'm happy to have joined Monaco."

With the move to the French Riviera, Walker hopes that more people will tune in to watch the EuroLeague, a tournament that's only followed by a select few in the US.

"I don't know if I will succeed, but I will be delighted to help contribute to having a bigger audience, especially in the United States. I imagine everyone would be delighted. It's not because we're not in the NBA that it's not high-level basketball," he explained.

Despite having a star status, many EuroLeague fans are skeptical about Kemba's impact in Europe, especially in a crowded backcourt in Monaco. Confronted with the notion, Walker said that it doesn't matter what the public opinion is.

"We'll see. I know what I can do. But for the fans, you will have to wait to see me play," he said.

"I don't pay attention to social media. Everyone has an opinion, it's human nature. I haven't been seen playing for a long time, I have knee problems. Never mind," he continued. "I don't take criticism as a challenge. No one can challenge me but me, and I'm hard enough on myself."

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