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Kenny Walker (basketball)

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Kenny Walker
Walker at an autograph signing in 2012
Personal information
Born (1964-08-18) August 18, 1964 (age 60)
Roberta, Georgia
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolCrawford County (Roberta, Georgia)
CollegeKentucky (1982–1986)
NBA draft1986: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Selected by the New York Knicks
Playing career1986–1997
PositionSmall forward
Number34, 7, 15
Career history
19861991New York Knicks
1991–1992Granollers
1993Teamsystem Fabriano
1993Cáceres
19931995Washington Bullets
1996–1997Isuzu Gigacats
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points3,128 (7.0 ppg)
Rebounds1,793 (4.0 rpg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA U19 World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1983 Palma de Mallorca National team

Kenneth "Kenny" "Sky" Walker (born August 18, 1964) is an American former professional basketball player, primarily for the New York Knicks of the NBA. Walker played college basketball at the University of Kentucky. He is currently a radio host for WVLK in Lexington, Kentucky.

College career

Kenny Walker's jersey was retired by the University of Kentucky. This banner hangs in Rupp Arena.

Walker was born in Roberta, Georgia. After being named Mr. Basketball in his home state of Georgia in 1982, Walker chose to play collegiately at the University of Kentucky. Walker had a very successful college career, being named to an All-SEC team four times and the All-American team twice. Walker's 1984 Kentucky team made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament before losing to the Georgetown Hoyas.

In 1986, Walker set a record by scoring 11 times on 11 field goal attempts in the NCAA tournament.[1]

Professional career

Walker was selected with the 5th pick of the 1986 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. Walker played for five coaches in five years with the Knicks. On February 11, 1989, Walker won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, competing three days after the death of his father.[2] He also secured third place in the 1990 contest. However, his success on the court was dwindling, and knee injuries forced him to leave the NBA and join the ACB league in Spain.

Walker returned to the NBA in 1993 to play two seasons with the Washington Bullets as a role player. He played a season (c.1998) in Japan before retiring from professional basketball.

References

  1. ^ "NCAA Tournament Capsules". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. 2009-03-20. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  2. ^ "Walker skies to win slam-dunk", Syracuse Herald-American, February 12, 1989, pE-11