Kemba Walker wanted to learn about earning his first NBA All-Star game invitation on his own.

The Charlotte Hornets guard insisted no one tell him if he was named an Eastern Conference reserve in a vote by head coaches in the conference. He was watching TV in New York with teammate Roy Hibbert when the results were announced.

“I just heard from the show on TNT,” Walker said. “I kind of told everybody, all my friends, if they find out before me, don’t tell me. I told my agent if he knew before me, don’t tell me. I just wanted to watch the show.

“Me and Roy [were] in the room. Roy came up and we watched it together. Then after that, all of my teammates kind of stormed into my room, congratulated me, gave me huge hugs. It was pretty cool.”

Walker, who is in his sixth season, is having a career year with highs in points per game (23.0), field goals (8.2), field goal percentage (.456), three-point baskets per game (2.8) and three-point field goal percentage (.411).  He is second in three-pointers made in the Eastern Conference with 127.

“It’s special,” Walker said. I’ve worked really hard to try and become a better player each and every year in this league. I know there’s been a lot of doubt about me coming up in this league, but like I said, I just try to go out and give it my all. I try to play the game the right way each and every night and try to play as hard as possible and try to get as many wins as possible, so to get this accomplishment, it’s super special.”

Last year, Walker was left off the All-Star roster despite a strong first half of the season. There was early buzz this season about his All-Star chances to the point Walker was tired of talking about it. Now that it’s official, he admits to being honored.

“I would have never thought that I’d be an All-Star in this league, so to finally have my name called, it’s really cool,” said Walker, who has 32 games with 20 or more points, tied for fifth-most in the Eastern Conference.

Walker is one of four players to average 20 points on 45 percent field goal shooting and over 40 percent from three-point range and more than five assists per game. The others – Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry – are also All-Stars. Walker admits earning a berth is one of his greatest achievements.

“It definitely has to be up there,” he said. “I mean, this is a special class right here to be an All-Star in the NBA. I don't think anybody would have thought when I was coming in the league that I would get this accomplishment. This is special. I don't know where I would rank it but it's definitely high on the list."
 

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