Kemba Walker built on the success he had at Rice High School to become an NBA All-Star.
Coming off a season that included a second straight All-Star selection, and re-writing the Charlotte NBA record books as well.
"I never would have thought in a million years that a kid like me, from the Bronx, would ever be a franchise's leading scorer, so for me to accomplish that goal, it was really special,” says Walker.
Representing the only franchise he's ever known is important to Walker and when his name was brought up in trade rumors for the first time in his career this past winter he says he was on edge.
“I didn't know how to take it, like I said, it was my first time but I got over it and I understand it's the business side of things,” says Walker.
The only business the Bronx native is concerned with now is winning.
“We haven't been winning on a consistent basis, you know, we haven't been going to the playoffs every year so I want to start that, I want to start it to where we're in the playoffs every season,” he says.
Walker is set to become a free agent this season, and the 28-year-old point guard who grew up in Soundview is set to cash in. One of the teams that will have money to sign him is the Knicks, but Walker says he hasn’t given any thought to playing for his hometown team.
“No thought. No thought. No thought at all I mean how can I? I play for the Charlotte Hornets so as long as I’m a Hornet I’m not giving a thought to playing for another team,” he says.
Fans will have to wait and see if he has a change of heart next summer.