Kemba Walker, after months of injury recovery, made his debut for AS Monaco in the EuroLeague, embarking on a new chapter in his basketball career. In his first EuroLeague game against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, he had a modest 10 minutes of playtime, missing all three field goals but scoring from the free-throw line, marking his European points debut.
Following the game, Walker expressed his enthusiasm about the experience, stating, “It was amazing. It was everything that everybody told me it would be. The fans were great, I really appreciate seeing that.” He also recognized the defensive challenges posed in the game, remarking, “I thought we made it tough on everybody, especially in the fourth. Those guys are really good; they just didn’t make shots down the stretch.”
European basketball, particularly in the EuroLeague, differs in many ways, including the absence of a defensive three-second rule, a smaller court, and a more physical and tactical style of play. When asked about adjusting to European basketball, Walker acknowledged it would take some time to find his rhythm and get acclimated.
While Kemba Walker is back on the court, he’s not yet at full strength. AS Monaco is taking precautions to ensure his recovery proceeds without setbacks. Walker’s primary focus remains on contributing to his team.
This offseason, several NBA caliber players, such as Willy Cauley-Stein, Jabari Parker, Willy Hernangomez, and Jahlil Okafor, made the choice to play in Europe. When asked about this trend, Kemba highlighted the unique fan experience as a significant aspect of this decision.
He emphasized, “It’s a great experience. A crowd like this is not something that we would experience on any other level besides college. I’m happy I’m here, and I’m happy I made the choice to be a part of this club.”
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