Kemba Walker may have hung up his NBA sneakers, but he\u2019s far from done with basketball.<\/p>\n
The former Charlotte Hornets icon and four-time NBA All-Star has found a new summer gig\u2014and it\u2019s not behind a desk. Walker is officially returning to the court as part of the BIG3 league for the 2025 season, giving fans in the Queen City and beyond a fresh chance to witness his signature handles and clutch gene.<\/p>\n
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Walker\u2019s connection to Charlotte runs deep. Drafted ninth overall in 2011 by the then-Bobcats, Walker spent eight electrifying seasons in the city, becoming the franchise\u2019s all-time leader in points, field goals, and minutes played. From buzzer-beaters to All-Star nods, he was the heartbeat of a franchise searching for stability\u2014and for many fans, still is. His No. 15 jersey isn\u2019t in the rafters yet, but it\u2019s already cemented in Hornets lore.<\/p>\n
After officially retiring from professional basketball in July 2024, Walker is lacing them up again for the summer, joining Ice Cube\u2019s BIG3\u2014a high-octane, 3-on-3 league that kicks off June 14 in Chicago. While his team has yet to be announced, anticipation is building. The league is leaning into a new city-based format this season, and Walker\u2019s star power only adds fuel. He joins fellow ex-NBA standout Dwight Howard as one of the marquee additions for 2025.<\/p>\n
Related: Charlotte Hornets unveil rare Dreamville collaboration with famed designer Jeff Hamilton<\/a><\/p>\n Persistent knee injuries derailed what once looked like a Hall of Fame path. Walker appeared in just 145 NBA games over his final four seasons, including a short stint with the Dallas Mavericks and a final run with AS Monaco in the EuroLeague. But now, the BIG3 offers a unique stage\u2014less grind, more creativity\u2014for a player built for the spotlight.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Related: Puma set to drop another LaMelo Ball MB.04\u2014 time for a new strategy<\/a><\/p>\n Hornets fans who\u2019ve missed Kemba\u2019s flair now have a reason to tune in this summer. Whether you cheered for him from the Hive or watched him break ankles on national TV, his return to competitive basketball is must-watch. Circle June 14 on the calendar\u2014Kemba\u2019s back. And he\u2019s not done dancing yet.<\/p>\n Related: Taj Gibson calls Charlotte a \u2018gold mine\u2019 for NBA free agents<\/a><\/p>\n