Title-Contending UConn Huskies: How Good Is Kemba Walker?

Amidst an amazing few days of conference-tournament basketball, one player has stepped into the spotlight on America's greatest stage and shown everyone why he should be considered one of the best in the country.

His name is Kemba Walker.

With an array of step-back jumpers, ankle-breaking crossovers and freakishly athletic plays, Walker led his Connecticut Huskies team to the Big East Tournament title.

Since Kemba is a junior, he is unlike the one-and-dones of today's game and proves that staying in school can help a player develop into a star. Walker has shown flashes of greatness all season long, averaging a team-high 23.5 points, 4.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and about 2 steals per game.

His quickness is tough to match in the open court, as shown by his eye-crossing crossovers against Pitt and Louisville. On both occasions he made the plays to win the game for his team.

What makes Kemba Walker different from the other quick point guards in the NCAA, however, is his ability to perform in the clutch. Walker has not shied from the spotlight once this season and has performed with poise and confidence for a Huskies team that feeds off his energy.

Walker makes his teammates better in a number of ways. He opens up the three-ball with his penetrating ability, which enables freshmen like Jeremy Lamb to spot up and knock down critical shots.

He also creates plays for his teammates, which was evident by his ankle-breaker on Peyton Siva and perfect dime to Lamb for the game-winning layup. Walker uses his explosive athleticism to get to the rim at will, which makes him the most exciting player to watch in college basketball.

While watching UConn against Pitt and Louisville, I saw a very strong resemblance between Walker and current NBA point guard Derrick Rose.

Like Rose, Walker uses his explosive first step to break down defenders and knock down shots. He plays the passing lanes like a lion stalking its prey and he has a step-back jumper identical to Rose's go-to move.

He can even make his free throws! Walker has all the necessary skills to make it big in the NBA, but for now he is leading his Huskies on an exhilarating run that hopefully ends in a memorable NCAA championship.