NBA Draft 2011: Breaking Down Kemba Walker's Game
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University of Connecticut
Junior
Guard
175 lb.s
Rice High School
Bronx, NY
Summary and Scenarios
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Long Story Short: Exciting scoring guard with an NBA skill set when it comes to shooting, passing, dribbling and picking up steals. Although an undersized combo guard at 6’1” who occasionally forces things, Walker’s an outstanding gamer and clutch performer who can play a gear above everyone else and knows how to win.
Best Case Scenario: Aaron Brooks meets Brandon Jennings
Worst Case Scenario: Lou Williams
Strengths
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Does Well:
-Pure scorer’s mentality, can score in a number of ways, superb offensive awareness (23.7 pt.s per game as junior, fourth in NCAA)
-Outstanding athlete with super quickness and explosiveness, NBA-caliber speed
-Quick strike dribbler who is great off the bounce and possesses a jarring crossover; Great at getting to the free-throw line at a high rate and converting
-Outstanding feel for the game, playmaker who knows how to win (2011 NCAA tournament MOP), clutch shooter who hit number of game winners for UConn
-Great defensive instincts, pick pocket (2.1 steals per game as sophomore), superb lateral quickness and perimeter defender
-Very good shooting touch, nice stroke that can hit anywhere on the floor, solid midrange game and improving 3-point shooter
-Court vision is fantastic, sets up teammates exceptionally well (5.1 assists per as sophomore)
Weaknesses
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Must Improve:
-Not a great three-point shooter, shot 33 percent for his career at UConn; improve consistency and ability to hit the NBA 3
-Undersized guard at only 6’1”, more of a natural shooting guard and scorer
-Questionable shot selection during spurts of the game, sometimes rushes deep looks early in the shot clock
Translation to NBA
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Translation To Next Level:
Kemba Walker is a complete guard with an NBA skill set that should excel in the league. He has outstanding quickness, knows how to score in a variety of ways and has a solid physique to play in the league. Although he mostly plays at the SG position for UConn, he is a serviceable secondary ball-handler who can create and should be able to transition to playing the point for an NBA team.
He is very active off the ball and can get open, being constantly in motion, cutting and running off screens. He can play at a whole other gear above everyone else and take over a game for his team in critical moments. Hit a number of high pressure shots to win vital games for UConn on their way to victory in the 2011 Big East and NCAA Tournaments. Flat out competitor that can carry his team when they need him at the NCAA level and should be able to do that for an NBA team. In college, often commanded double teams from the opposition but should be able to beat defenders one-on-one in the NBA to get to the basket or create space for an easy jumper.
Can create matchup problems with his excellent quickness and ankle-breaking handles and should be able to get his shot whenever he wants in the NBA. Can play the point with some time at the position but could be at his best as a pure scorer for a team. Walker has a well-rounded game that can make more than just an impact in the points category, as he excels, rebounding the ball very well for a guard and distributing the ball. Possesses incredible lateral quickness and perimeter defensive ability that should be able to help contain NBA guards.
Loves to play passing lanes and has quick hands that allow him to pick defenders, and when he’s out ahead on the break, you might as well count it. One of the more mature, well-rounded, NBA-ready players available in the 2011 NBA draft limited only by his three-point shooting and size but makes up for it with athleticism and shot making. If he isn’t taken in the top five, he’s an absolute steal for a team given his proven ability as a competitor and winner. Although older than some of the other players available in the lottery, he’s still very young at 20 years of age and an incredible value pick in the lottery in terms of potential and impact right now.
Side Notes
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Final Thoughts:
Aside from Jimmer Fredette, one would be hard pressed to find a more entertaining and exciting player to watch in college basketball in 2011 than Kemba Walker. At first look, he seems to know how to flat out score and carry the team on his shoulders. He can put up points in hurry, as he did against Wichita State early in the 2010-11 season when he scored 29 points in a half. Averaging more than 30 points as the team’s focal point, getting off to a hot start at the beginning of his junior season and leading UConn to a Maui Invitational title.
He is a great creator and does a superb job of setting teammates off the drive and in the open court. When he gets a steal, he is gone in a flash, instantly creating offense off his defense. Proven winner who can hit the big shot. What NBA team wouldn’t want a player of his caliber on their roster?
Perhaps the most NBA-ready player in 2011, Walker will be able to make an instant impact on a roster and a cornerstone for a franchise at guard. Walker was the 2011 Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament on the way to taking home the title for the Huskies. Very high-caliber player, competitor and winner that will be a starter, if not star, for an NBA team.
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