NBA Draft 2011: 10 Reasons Kemba Walker Should Declare for the NBA Draft

Kemba Walker has been the lifeblood of the Connecticut Huskies this season, and has led them to the Final Four.

Walker is often regarded as one of the best players in the country and is just as clutch.  Although he is only a junior he should consider the draft even though the lockout is looming.

Here are 10 reasons that Walker should declare for the draft.

James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball, as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers.  Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook. 

Offensive Numbers

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket against Kyle Fogg #21 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anah

Walker is averaging 23.9 points, 4.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds per game this season. He is also shooting 43 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc.

Walker has been an offensive wiz-kid for the Huskies. He does a lot for his team and is basically ready to lead an NBA team in this regard.

He has the ability to shoot from almost anywhere on the court and can usually hit it.

Defense

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Roscoe Smith #22 of the Connecticut Huskies go up for a rebound against Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Cen

Although he has phenomenal offensive numbers, Walker is not all about offense. He is one of the best defensive guards in the Big East and plays some lock-down defense.

Walker averages just fewer than two steals per game, along with the steals; he also gets a block occasionally.

His ability to not only slash through opposing defenses, but to lock down some of the nation’s elite guards, is what separates him from a lot of players in this upcoming draft.

Team Leader

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Shabazz Napier #13, Roscoe Smith #22 Kemba Walker #15 and the Connecticut Huskies celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the H

Walker is so short that he is most likely going to be a point guard when he makes the jump to the next level. He is perfect for this. He runs the point for the Huskies and is the general on the court.

An NBA squad needs a point guard that is reliable and consistent; these things are two traits that Walker embodies.

Game Winners

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket against Jamelle Horne #42 of the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in

Walker has been one of the more clutch players in the nation this season.

If UConn is down at the end of the game, the ball is going to Walker no matter what. He has proven he can hit the game winner, and it’s almost magical at times.

There is no other player in college basketball that any coach would want to have the ball than Walker late in the game.

Big East Tournament

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies drives with the ball against Mike Marra #33 of the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters a

Walker was just magical in the Big East Tournament. Although the Huskies were expected to not get past the second day of the tournament, UConn found a way to win.

A lot of that can be contributed to Walker.

His buzzer-beating heroics were those of legends, and he played huge on the a huge stage, just what every NBA scout wants to see.

NCAA Tournament

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after a play towards the end of the game against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March

In the tournament this season Walker has come up huge and that shows that he always comes to play and comes to play at the right time.

He is averaging 25.7 points per game in the tournament and should continue to knock them down as he faces the Wildcats. 

Marketable as the Marquee Player

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies holds up the David R. Gavitt Most Outstanding Player trophy after defeating the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented b

Walker has already made a name for himself in the college ranks and has become one of the most recognizable names in basketball.

NBA teams are in the business to not only win, but sell tickets, and merchandise. Walker is one of those players a franchise could build a team around; he is a star in the making.

Iconic Already

Walker is already becoming a symbol of sorts. Although it may sound funny at first but the three goggles, Walker made famous are catching on.

On every playground in America kids making a three do that symbol. That says something in itself of Walker.

Once in a Lifetime Run

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Kemba Walker #15 and Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies look on against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, Ca

This run that the Huskies have made is a once in a lifetime run. It will be hard to match the heroics that have ensued so far this season.

After being a Cinderella in the Big East Tournament, they have quickly become one of the best teams in America.

Career Season

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WASHINGTON - MARCH 17: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies dribbles around Bryan Cohen #22 of the Bucknell Bison during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Verizon Center on March 17, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Pho

Walker is having a career season right now. It would be so hard to come out and repeat this kind of play for another season.

Coaches will start to figure him out and it will be tough to repeat. His draft stock is as high is it is going to get right now.

 It’s time for Walker to enter the draft.