Walker Drops 42 as Huskies Take Care of Vermont

         In a final tune-up game before heading to the Maui Invitational, junior guard Kemba Walker showed he was ready, not only for the trip to Hawaii, but also to lead his Huskies after a disappointing 2009-10 campaign. Walker scored a career-best 42 points, leading Connecticut to a 89-73 victory over the Catamounts of Vermont.

        Walker hit 15-of-24 shots, including four 3s, and also pulled down a team-high 8 rebounds as well. His scoring sparked a comeback, as the Huskies trailed at halftime. This type of performance is one that scouts and front office personnel have been anxiously awaiting from Walker, a former McDonald's high-school All-American. He was never able to piece together his talents and elite quickness on a consistent basis, too often making poor decisions and taking low-percentage shots; through the Huskies first two wins, he has accepted a bulk of the scoring placed upon him by the departure of three starters from last season's team.

        In the 2011 NBA Draft, three point guards- Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight and Josh Selby, could all be off the board in the top ten, and there are no other candidates standing out right now in the rest of the first round. Kemba Walker is a borderline pick right now, along with Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor and Butler's Shelvin Mack. With more performances like this latest one and proven leadership, Walker could make himself a legitimate first-rounder.


By President Corey Ruff - 11-19-10