After announcing his retirement from the NBA earlier this week, former Charlotte Hornets star Kemba Walker is returning to his former team in a new role as a player enhancement coach.
Kemba Walker, Charlotte's all-time leading scorer, has rejoined the Hornets organization as a player enhancement coach, the team announced Wednesday. Walker, who announced his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday, will be part of new head coach Charles Lee's staff.
Walker played 12 seasons in the NBA, including nine with the Hornets. He is the franchise's career leader in points (12,009), field goals, 3-pointers, free throws, and minutes played. He is also second in assists and third in steals.
"Kemba is a true Hornet," Lee said in a statement. "His passion for the game and his love for this city are undeniable. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our players, and I know he will be a valuable asset to our staff."
Walker was a four-time NBA All-Star and a 2018-19 All-NBA third-team selection. He also won the French League championship this season with AS Monaco.
In addition to Walker, the Hornets also hired several other assistants to Lee's staff, including Lamar Skeeter, Josh Longstaff, Chris Jent, Blaine Mueller, Ryan Frazier, Matt Hill, and Jermaine Bucknor.
The Hornets also hired Zach Peterson as assistant coach/director of player development and added Austin Vereen and Zach Thomas as video coordinators. Reggie Cameron was hired as an associate video coordinator and two-way enhancement coach, and John Bowen was retained as a video coordinator.
Walker's return to the Hornets is a homecoming for the Bronx native, who played his college basketball at the University of Connecticut. He was drafted ninth overall by the Hornets in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Walker quickly became a fan favorite in Charlotte, averaging 18.9 points per game in his nine seasons with the team. He led the Hornets to the playoffs four times, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.
Walker was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2019, but he returned to the Hornets in 2021. He played 37 games for the Hornets last season, averaging 11.3 points per game.
Walker's retirement announcement on Tuesday came as a surprise to many, but he said he was at peace with his decision.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to have played in the NBA for 12 years," Walker said in a statement. "It's been an incredible journey, and I've been blessed to play with some of the best players in the world. But it's time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life."
Walker's return to the Hornets in a coaching role is a fitting end to his playing career. He is one of the most beloved players in franchise history, and he will now have the opportunity to help develop the next generation of Hornets stars.
