Hello countryside, goodbye skyline

Bronx-born Walker making transition to college life

By: Marc Gauthier

Posted: 11/14/08

It's midway in November and the cold, crisp air is starting to settle in over Storrs. The trees have lost most of their leaves and the cows have been herded inside Horsebarn Hill, in preparation for winter.

For most students, this routine isn't anything unusual. In fact, it's quite common.

But for freshman point guard Kemba Walker, winter life in the countryside is something completely new.

"UConn is definitely colder; way colder than out there," Walker said. "And it's early too."

Walker is a city boy. But he's not just any city boy; he's a New York City kind of city boy. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Walker doesn't know what a New England winter is all about.

"It's cold up here," Walker said. "I came from the city and [Storrs] is basically the woods; cows and all that crazy stuff up here."

The adjustment from the city to the country isn't the only change Walker has been dealing with. The transition from high school to college has also kept him quite busy.

"It's been a big jump," he said. "School work, the times, everything."

But dealing with the pressures that most freshmen deal with has also been rewarding for Walker. And so far, he's been enjoying the whole process.

"I like being with the new guys," Walker said. "You know, meeting new people both on and off the court, meeting my professors and things like that."

Off the court, Walker said he's been enjoying classes in his first semester, more specifically, a drama class that he's enrolled in.

Walker's only problem with the classes at UConn is that there are too many to choose from. So many, in fact, that he's been having a difficult time focusing on one field for his major.

"Classes are cool," Walker said. "I'm undecided right now. I'm trying to get to know [the system]. I've been looking through the books. There are so many classes to pick from."

But by the time he finishes his UConn career, Walker most likely won't be remembered for his attendance in drama class. No, Walker will be remembered for what he does on the basketball court.

Walker was a five-star recruit from Rice High School in Harlem. According to Rivals.com, Walker was projected as the 14th best recruit in the country for the class of 2008 and the fifth-best point guard.

Before Walker signed a letter of intent with UConn almost a year ago, he considered schools such as Memphis, Texas A&M and Cincinnati, according to Rivals.com.

But as soon as he decided to don the Husky blue and white, coach Jim Calhoun knew he would become a valuable part to his team.

"The moment Kemba signed with us, we became better," Calhoun said.

Early in the season, there were questions as to what type of point guard Walker would be. Would he be a shoot-first or a pass-first guard? Not many people knew.

But after a few weeks of practice and two exhibition games, Walker not only knew what he wanted to be, but he also knew who he wanted to model his game after.

"I started watching Chris Paul when he got to the NBA," Walker said. "I thought I could be like that; he's not that tall and he gets it done. He's a pass-first point guard and he can take over the game anytime he wants. I see him play defense. He takes pride in that and that's something I do, too."

Dealing with the college style of play is another thing that Walker has been trying to figure out. His high school competition can't compare to anything he will face in college

"Running-wise, it's a big difference; the speed is different and the strength is different," Walker said. "I'm going to be guarding guys who are 6-foot-2, so there's a lot of differences."

Walker, who is listed at a generous 6-foot-1 and 172 pounds, said it's been difficult adjusting to collegiate basketball, but it's something he's certain he will master.

Since the first day of practice, Calhoun and the other players have noticed Walker's contributions to the team.

His passing abilities have improved the team's passing game tremendously, according to Calhoun, and he allows A.J. Price and Jerome Dyson to move to the two-guard.

"He's a true point guard," Price said. "He likes to distribute the ball and he likes to put the ball in the right places. That's something you really can't teach as a point guard and I could see myself playing off the ball with him a lot."

But perhaps Walker's most important contribution is his energy. Whether Walker finds himself as a starter or as the first guard off the bench, he will bring the Huskies to a level that will be hard to match, according to teammate Jeff Adrien.

"The game's not going to be fair, really," Adrien said. "If he brings so much energy and speed to the game, you know, the other team might not even be expecting it. They might be expecting it, but they can't really prepare for it. It's already fast, but it kind of gets to another notch because of his energy and his speed is so up-tempo."

But for Walker, what it all comes down to is that, basketball or no basketball, he's still doing the one thing he wanted - college.

"If I wasn't playing basketball, I think I'd be in college," Walker said. "I wouldn't be here. I think I'd go somewhere where it's kind of hot. Yeah, I definitely do that. I've been in the cold all my life. But I'd definitely be in college getting my degree."