Before Kemba Walker was a two-time NBA All-Star with the Charlotte Hornets and a National Champion at the University of Connecticut, Walker was a kid with a basketball growing up in New York City.
When the Bronx, New York native returned to the Big Apple this summer for his annual Kemba Walker Basketball Camp at John Jay College in conjunction with 'NYC Basketball Kids' and 'Playbook Kids', we spoke about everything from his childhood growing up in a basketball obsessed city like New York, what this city means to him, his advice for young players, his magical run with UConn in 2011 and even the prospects of him one day playing for his hometown New York Knicks (don't hold your breathe Knicks fans!). At just 28 years old, the future is limitless on what this young star can accomplish in his basketball career both on and off the court.
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Last week, we spoke with Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matt Martin at his annual Hockey Academy, located at Twin Rinks at Eisenhower Park on Long Island - ironically in the same facility as the New York Islanders new practice facility.
What I didn't know was that less than a week later, Matt would return to the Islanders today in a trade with the Leafs (who signed former Islanders superstar John Tavares to a seven year/ $77 million deal on Sunday) for goalie prospect Eamon McAdam. The left winger spent seven seasons in New York from 2010-2016 after being drafted by the team 148th overall in the fifth round during the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. When I asked Matt about his time with the Islanders, his connection to the organization and New York, he described it as his second home. You can't make this stuff up. Oh yeah - I asked him about Boomer Esiason being his future father-in-law after his recent engagement to Boomer's daughter Sydney as well as a nice chat about Fortnight. Hard-hitting journalism right here. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. For more information on his Hockey Academy as well as his Matt Martin Foundation, visit his website HERE: http://mattmartinhockey.com/?page_id=225 |