Kemba Walker: Will He Return for His Senior Season?

Now that the Connecticut Huskies have won the NCAA championship, the question is: What will Kemba Walker's next move be?

Most would automatically assume that Kemba will forgo his senior season and leave for the NBA. Kemba Walker says not so fast.

"Everyone's got the assumption that I'm leaving," Walker said. "Everybody says, 'Oh, he had his Senior Night already and he's graduating early,' but that's not even the case. I just want to get (class work) over with because if I was able to come back, I would have maybe one class...I don't see why people make those assumptions."

After all, Kemba has accomplished pretty much everything a collegiate athlete could set out to accomplish. He made the first-team all-American, helped the Huskies win the Big East tournament while winning the Big East MVP award, won the NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player Award and most importantly, is an NCAA champion.

What is really left for Kemba to accomplish at the collegiate level? Walker was asked that question before the NCAA final and gave this answer:

"Yes, if we win a national championship, I'm thinking back-to-back," he said. "We'll have a great team. We'll have the same team, actually. If I could get back to this point again, it would be fun. These guys are like my brothers."

If Kemba decides to put the NBA on hold and return for his senior season, the chances of repeating as national champions is a realistic possibility. With Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier growing up before our eyes in the NCAA tournament and Alex Oriakhi returning, this team would be one of the favorites heading into next season.

Before Kemba makes his decision, I'm sure he will have to find out if Jim Calhoun is returning. Calhoun is 68 years old and just became the oldest coach to win an NCAA championship has a history of health problems.

Rumors were that once UCONN won the championship, Calhoun would retire out on top with his third championship. You have to believe that these two will talk, and if Kemba says he is coming back, Jim Calhoun will do the same.

The chances of an NBA lockout will also affect Kemba's decision. If there is no NBA basketball next season, there is no point in joining the draft. Kemba might as well stay another year in college and work on his jumper, which is inconsistent. 

"I think I'm ready for the NBA," Kemba said. "But I'm not gonna make that decision yet. The NBA will be there for me no matter what. I'm gonna take my time. I don't want to think about that yet. I just want to celebrate this win, and then when the time is right I'll talk to the right people and find out where my stock is and what not, and then I'll make that decision."

During the celebration for the Huskies in Connecticut, Kemba was enshrined into the program's Huskies of Honor, becoming just the 14th player to be inducted. Fans went on to chant "Kemba Walker" and "one more year." Walker has till April 24 to make the decision.

Earlier in the day, before the celebration, Walker told fans in the airport, "We're national champs. Let's do it again next year."

Question is, will the Huskies do it with or without him?