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UConn retires Walker’s number
AP
Photo
Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun, left, walks with seniors Kemba Walker, center, and Donnell Beverly, right, as they arrive for a rally at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn., Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Connecticut beat Butler for the National championship in the NCAA Mens Final Four basketball tournament on Monday, April 4.
Associated Press
STORRS, Conn.
Kemba Walker powered Connecticut to a third national title and in return the school put the star guard’s name and number on the wall of Gampel Pavilion.
It was a surprise moment during Tuesday’s victory rally before about 7,500 rabid UConn fans who came to the arena to celebrate Monday night’s 53-41 win over Butler, and chanted “Kemba Walker,” and “One more year.”
The junior playmaker, who averaged 23.7 points during the NCAA tournament, cried and pulled his championship hat over his eyes as a drape that covered his banner was pulled away. He became the 14th Connecticut player to join the “Huskies of Honor” wall — the first to receive the honor while he was still in school.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Walker said. “Every kid wants his jersey or his number to be retired and this is pretty special.”
It’s been a special month for Walker, whose team was picked to finish 10th in the Big East in the preseason, but completed a remarkable 11-0 run through the postseason that also included a conference tournament championship.
“He has had an incredible season, that no one before has ever had at UConn,” coach Jim Calhoun said. “When you get in that category of being called by one name ... that’s pretty special.”
Special enough that any future Huskies will have to ask Walker for permission if they want to wear his No. 15. That’s the type of pull you get for playing a key role in Connecticut’s third NCAA men’s basketball championship and first since 2004.
“You are an inspiration to your fellow citizens here in Connecticut. You are a great pride to your university,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told the team shortly after it arrived at Bradley Airport. “This team, just amazing.”
The Huskies shook hands with several dozen fans that lined an airport fence in a cold rain, then boarded buses for campus, where students such as 21-year-old junior Matt Kuruc had been partying since Monday night.
“This whole campus is feeling great about this,” he said. “There’s nothing else I can do but celebrate this best win that we could possibly get. It’s amazing.”