UConn legends Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier face each other for first time in EuroLeague
Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier will forever be linked together in UConn history, each primary authors of their own near-miraculous and stirring national championship runs, and backcourt mates on the 2011 title team.
On Wednesday, the two Huskies legends met once again on the court, but this time it was in Serbia, not Storrs.
Shabazz’s Crvena Zvezda team, based in Belgrade, met Kemba’s AS Monaco in the EuroLeague. The two have met on the court in the NBA on multiple occasions, but this was a first in Europe, where Walker was making his debut after saying he was convinced to play there this season after talking to Napier.
“I’ve only heard good things about the EuroLeague and I have many friends who play in this competition. One of my closest friends Shabazz Napier gave me advice in making this decision,” Walker said back in July.
Walker spent 12 seasons in the NBA, was a four-time All-Star and became the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leader in scoring, minutes and games played. He was a free agent for much of last season before latching on with the Dallas Mavericks for nine games as the team dealt with injury issues.
Napier has been playing internationally since 2021, when his six-year run in the NBA came to an end.
Wednesday’s game was Walker’s first with AS Monaco, which has already played two EuroLeague games without him as he recovered from nagging injuries ahead of the season. He saw only 10 minutes, scored 2 points, grabbed 2 rebounds and dished out an assist as he got used to playing with his new teammates.
Napier scored 7 points, dished out 2 assists and had 3 steals in 21 minutes of action.
Walker’s AS Monaco team won the game, 82-76.
Both teams are now 1-2 in the competition, which much like soccer’s Champions League, pits the best teams in Europe against each other. The EuroLeague runs through May.
