NEW YORK – Kemba Walker stood outside the Knicks locker room at Madison Square Garden on Monday night and greeted a small group of New York reporters who had come to chronicle his homecoming.
The former UConn star and current Charlotte Bobcats rookie was asked if he thought the Huskies were actually more talented without him — and Walker said he could not disagree with that sentiment.
“I agree, I agree,” Walker, a Bronx native, said, pointing out that the Huskies have added a tremendous freshmen class, including 6-foot-11 future NBA lottery pick Andre Drummond. “They have more experience now. Those guys have been through a long, challenging season.”
One of “those guys” is sophomore sensation Jeremy Lamb, a smooth 6-foot-5 wing averaging 18.9 points and 4.2 rebounds for the defending NCAA champs.
After Lamb played a key role in helping the Huskies win 11 straight postseason games last year — five in five days in the Big East Tournament at the Garden, then six more in the Big Dance — his stock soared and his family considered whether or not Lamb was ready for the NBA.
“He would’ve gone in the first round this year, that much I can guarantee you,” UConn coach Jim Calhoun said in May. “I got enough phone calls [from NBA executives]. They’re calling about Kemba and they’re calling about him.”
