As he darted up and down the court with his NBA brethren in a scrimmage against some of the elite high school players in the country, Kemba Walker took mere moments to display why he should succeed in the league.
The speed of the undersized guard astonished those who hadn’t seen him in person as he led Connecticut to the national championship last spring. Walker enjoyed a fascinating junior season, leading a young and unproven bunch to the program’s first crown in seven years, an improbable run that began in the Big East tournament.
Walker was the star, the blazing-fast guard who dropped winning shots, using killer crossovers and stepbacks. He was the best player on the court, but that distinction ended the moment UConn won the title and he was evaluated by scouts whose job it was to determine whether Walker could flourish as a pro.
As the NBA draft approached, there was a sudden drop in regard for Walker, even though he was a first-team All-American. Teams apparently backed off because he is barely 6 feet and may lack true point guard skills.
Walker’s goal in the final workouts before the draft was not to impress every team, but just one. And the ultimate decision-maker gave him a nod of approval.
Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, nabbed Walker with the ninth overall pick, placing the fate of his franchise in the guard’s eager hands.
“Before the draft, I was hearing so many things,’’
said Walker. “You slipping, you might go 17.’
And I told my agent, ‘Just don’t tell me nothing else. Just let whatever happens, happen.’
That’s what he did.
“I can’t complain. I’m definitely excited that I’m with Charlotte and Michael Jordan. He had a huge input on what he wanted and that was exciting.’’
Charlotte has had trouble acquiring a franchise-caliber point guard that can lead the team to respectability in the Eastern Conference. Raymond Felton was drafted in 2005, but after an uneven tenure, he was allowed to leave and eventually signed with the Knicks. D.J. Augustin, taken in 2008, had his share of struggles.
Scouts questioned whether Walker was a pure point guard or just an undersized shooting guard. That is not an issue with him.
“I’m a 1 - there’s no question that I am a point guard,’’
said Walker, who averaged 24.6 points last season, primarily as a shooting guard. “I can just score the basketball, that’s it.
“Why can’t I do both? Why can’t I do everything? Pass, score, rebound. That’s what I have been doing my whole life. I’m an all-around player.’’
The Bobcats are in desperate need of a signature player. They traded Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace last season, leaving the opportunity for Walker and 19-year-old rebounding menace Bismack Biyombo to become cornerstones.
