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After former UConn legend Kemba Walker sixth season in the NBA culminated with his first-ever All-Star game appearance, Walker added another accolade at the NBA’s first-ever televised award show, taking home the 2017 NBA Sportsmanship Award.
The Sportsmanship Award, named after Detroit Pistons legend Joe Dumars, is voted on solely by all active NBA players. Walker is the first Hornet to win the award since it was first awarded after the 1995-96 season. Fellow Huskies legend Ray Allen has also won the award, doing so after the 2002-03 season.
"My peers voted for this award. That means a lot, to be respected among those guys." -@KembaWalker on the NBA Sportsmanship Award #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/ckjIcY2Oms
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 26, 2017
The award serves as a fitting end for what was arguably Walker’s best season as a professional. Kemba posted career highs in nearly every offensive category, shooting nearly 40 percent from the 3-point while averaging 23.2 points and 5.5 assists per game.