USA: Kemba Walker wants to wear the red, white and blue again
Tokyo - It's been 11 years since Kemba Walker wore the USA jersey in international competition and he's eager to do it again this summer.
“IT WILL BE AN HONOR, OF COURSE, IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER THAT I WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR THE U.S.A. TEAM"
According to various news reports, the Charlotte Hornets point guard has committed himself to the USA's effort for a third straight FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer. Last year, USA Basketball named Walker to a 35-player national team roster for the 2018-2020 period covering the World Cup and the Tokyo Olympic Games.
USA Basketball has begun assembling its roster for this summer's @FIBAWC in China and has a commitment from Charlotte's Kemba Walker as well as strong indications from New Orleans' Anthony Davis that he would like to play, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 2, 2019
If selected, this would be Walker's first international competition for the USA senior men's team. He represented his country on the junior level, starring for the U18 team at the 2008 FIBA Americas Championship. The Americans took the silver medal.
Walker started all five games for the Americans and would finish as the team's leading scorer for the tournament even though he only topped the boxscore in one game, the final against Argentina. He scored a game-high 21 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocked shots but the USA lost to the home team 77-64.
Kemba Walker (4) on the 2008 USA U18 FIBA Americas Championship team. (Photo courtesy of USA Basketball)
Already the Hornets best player, Walker had a breakout season that culminated with him being named to the All-NBA third team. He was one of the league's top scorers during much of the season and finished averaging 25.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.
A three-time NBA All Star, he scored 60 points against the Philadelphia 76ers in November and has developed into a consistent 3-point shooter. His dynamic quickness and change of direction can break down defenders and open the floor for teammates.
In Japan on an NBA promotional trip last week, the 29-year-old Walker was asked about playing for the national team.
"It will be an honor, of course, it will be the first time in my professional career that I will get the opportunity to compete for the U.S.A. team," he replied.
The USA are in Group E with the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Japan, something that did not go unnoticed by the Tokyo media.
"It will be an honor to play against Japan," said Walker. "I love playing against different competition, especially guys from another country, so I am looking forward to it."
FIBA
