Bronx boy Kemba Walker, the charismatic point guard who led the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team an an extraordinary run to Big East and NCAA Tournament titles, announced today he will skip his senior season and enter the NBA draft.
The decision came as no surprise to many observers who watched Walker, who is on pace to graduate a year early in May, emerge this year as one of the most dynamic offensive players in college basketball. He averaged 23.5 points per game, good for fifth in the nation.
“I just think it’s the right time for me to go to the NBA,” Walker said at a press conference Tuesday, according to USA Today. “It’s a happy day, but a sad day because I am leaving my brothers.”
Walker, who grew up in Soundview and attended IS 174, wrote a diary during the tournament for the Daily News.