Kenny Walker (basketball) facts for kids
Walker at an autograph signing in 2012
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | August 18, 1964 Roberta, Georgia, U.S. |
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| High school | Crawford County (Roberta, Georgia) | |||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | |||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) | |||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||
| College | Kentucky (1982–1986) | |||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1986 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5th overall | |||||||||||||
| Selected by the New York Knicks | ||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1986–1997 | |||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||
| 1986–1991 | New York Knicks | |||||||||||||
| 1991–1992 | Granollers | |||||||||||||
| 1993 | Teamsystem Fabriano | |||||||||||||
| 1993 | Cáceres | |||||||||||||
| 1993–1995 | Washington Bullets | |||||||||||||
| 1996–1997 | Isuzu Motors Lynx Gigacats / Isuzu Gigacats | |||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Points | 3,128 (7.0 ppg) | |||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 1,793 (4.0 rpg) | |||||||||||||
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Medals
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Kenneth "Kenny" Walker (born August 18, 1964) is a former American professional basketball player. He was known for his exciting play, earning him the nickname "Sky" Walker. Kenny mostly played for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
One of his biggest achievements was winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1989. Before joining the NBA, he was a star college player for the Kentucky Wildcats. He was even named an All-American in 1986. Today, Kenny is a radio host in Lexington, Kentucky.
Contents
Early Life and High School Years
Kenny Walker was born in Roberta, Georgia. He went to Crawford County High School in his hometown. During his senior year in 1982, he was named "Mr. Basketball" for the state of Georgia. This award goes to the best high school basketball player in the state.
College Basketball Career
Kenny decided to play college basketball at the University of Kentucky. He quickly became a key player for the Kentucky Wildcats. He was chosen for the All-SEC team four times during his college career. He also made the All-American team twice, showing he was one of the best players in the country.
In 1984, Kenny's Kentucky team reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. This is a huge achievement in college basketball. They played against the Georgetown Hoyas but unfortunately lost. In 1986, Kenny set an impressive record in the NCAA tournament. He scored 11 times out of 11 attempts from the field, meaning he didn't miss a single shot!
Professional Basketball Journey
The New York Knicks picked Kenny Walker as the 5th overall player in the 1986 NBA draft. He spent five years with the Knicks. During this time, he played for five different coaches.
One of his most memorable moments was winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on February 11, 1989. This happened just three days after his father passed away, making his victory even more special. He also placed third in the 1990 contest.
After his time with the Knicks, Kenny faced challenges with knee injuries. These injuries led him to leave the NBA. He then played in the ACB league in Spain for a while.
In 1993, Kenny returned to the NBA. He played two seasons with the Washington Bullets, mostly as a role player. Later, around 1998, he played a season in Japan for the Isuzu Motors Lynx/Giga Cats before retiring from professional basketball.
Life After Basketball
After retiring from playing, Kenny Walker stayed involved in sports. From 2000 to 2021, he co-hosted a radio show called "Cat Talk." This show was about sports and allowed listeners to call in.
Kenny now lives in Lexington and is very active in his community. He continues to work in local radio. He also helps promote childhood literacy, which means encouraging kids to read. In 2018, Kenny was honored by being inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Kenny Walker para niños
