13 years as a pro, 12 of it in the NBA, and one gratifying season overseas, Kemba Walker called time on his basketball career. But he’s not done with basketball. He’s made a swift transition to the Charlotte Hornets player development, a poetic second act given his love for the sport. On Carmelo Anthony’s show, Walker expressed his attachment to the game and how grateful he was to a Monaco club for giving him the opportunity to play longer. It was an emotional confession where he revealed he was on the brink of disappointment that the NBA didn’t want him anymore.

The 4x All-Star last played for the Dallas Mavericks till they waived him off in 2023. On the 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony & The Kid Mero podcast, he revealed that he didn’t have a Plan B initially, but he couldn’t wait for an NBA team to pick him up. “I had to make the tough decision to choose between the NBA, waiting on the NBA, waiting for the call or to go overseas.”

What helped him decide was a realization that prevented him from leaving the NBA on bitter terms. “I think from that point on that’s when I realized how much I really love the game of basketball.” So it didn’t matter that another NBA team didn’t want him. He was grateful for 12 years in the NBA and decided to make the most of his playing window. Hence, in July 2023, he signed with LNB Pro A and EuroLeague club, AS Monaco.

Both Walker and Anthony were scouted by Euroleague clubs for a long time. Melo ended his career in the NBA. However, Walker played overseas and brought his family along to experience a new country for the first time. The entire experience left him with no regrets.

The best decision by Kemba Walker

That’s what he calls playing for AS Monaco. Walker could not proudly say he’s excelled at the high school, collegiate (UConn), NBA, international (FIBA U-18), and overseas levels. Injuries hampered his playing time in Monaco but the experience was second to none.

EuroLeague is of course a different ball game where the likes of Luka Doncic got most of their early development. Walker loved playing alongside his Monaco teammates who got a shoutout on the show. He was left “happy as hell” after playing there and could satisfactorily announce his retirement from basketball on July 2.

He’s not done, though. He’s back in Charlotte, the team he spent his first eight seasons with. Now he’s part of the coaching staff and still pursuing his love for basketball.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.