Why Kemba Walker is excited about Hornets’ future, 2026 NBA Draft additions
Peering up at a row of banners boasting a familiar name and likeness, Kemba Walker is nearly in disbelief.
Pictures of the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time franchise leader in points hang from the ceiling along one of the baselines of the host of basketball and volleyball courts. It’s one of the many touches added to spruce up this older building in the historic part of downtown, just a long baseball pass away from Barber-Scotia College.
What used to be Carolina Courts is now transformed into The Kemba Walker Sports Academy. His logo is emblazoned in various places, and the banners showcase Walker in every uniform he’s ever worn. AAU, college, the pros, Team USA and all.
“It kind of just brings me back to the first day, and it’s my journey for real,” Walker, now assistant coach with the Hornets, told The Charlotte Observer. “My best friends, they are the ones who kind of did all this stuff right here. So, it’s crazy. It kind of just puts it in perspective, my journey.
“Where I started and where I ended and just where I’m at now. So, it’s pretty fire.”
Walker’s academy is primed to be a premier destination for youth and amateur sports in the Carolinas; Friday marked its official grand opening. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to become a hub for tournaments, athlete development and training.
Having called the region home for more than a decade, including when he was no longer playing for the Hornets, Walker is essentially forever entrenched in the Charlotte area for real now.
“Once I got here, I knew I was never leaving, to be honest,” the Bronx native said. “It’s just such a special place in my heart. My whole family’s here. We came here from Day 1. And just the calmness of the place, the love that I get while I’m here, man, I knew I was never leaving. I knew I wasn’t. Special place.”
Which is what led Walker to return to the Hornets as a player enhancement coach under coach Charles Lee. He just completed his second season and enjoyed contributing to the organization in another way besides scoring and distributing assists.
“It’s been dope,” Walker said. “I’ve never really seen myself being a coach, but now that I’m here, I’m really enjoying it. The last two years have been great with the guys. Especially the season we had the first year and going into the next year, it was so different. Such a huge improvement. And to be a part of that was special, obviously, because I played here, and I’ve seen struggles, I’ve been a part of the struggles.
“So to be on the up and up, it was. It was fun. Especially last year. It was a super, super cool sequence.”
Currently, the Hornets are in transition following the blockbuster trade sending star guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, first-round pick swaps from 2028-30 and second-round picks in 2029, 2032, and 2033. They also agreed to terms with Coby White.
Hornets co-owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin reiterated they remain dedicated to bringing a winning product to Charlotte, and Walker insists he’s witnessed that desire firsthand.
“Those guys, they bought the team with a vision, and they’re willing to do things to help the organization reach places that it’s never reached before,” Walker said. “So, yeah, Rick and Gabe, they’re very, very committed to this organization, to Charlotte. They’re very good.
“I’m around those guys a lot, and they’re not just owners who sit around at home. They’re there I wouldn’t say every day, but they’re there a lot. They are there a lot. Literally watching practices, on the team plane, on road games. Those guys are great.”
Walker’s message to fans who may be confused about the path of the roster and where things are headed is simple.
“Just got to wait and see, just like I’ve got to wait and see,” Walker said. “Literally, I’ve got to wait and see. We’ve all got to wait and see. We’ve just got to really put our trust in the guys that’s making the decisions. In this league, around this league, you’re going to see things that happen all the time where you’re like, ‘I can’t believe it.’
“Seen it with Luka (Dončić ).”
Even seen it with Walker, when the Hornets elected not to re-sign him after he hit unrestricted free agency in 2019. Instead, they sent him to Boston in a sign-and-trade rather than losing him for nothing in return.
“That was even tough for me, to be honest,” Walker said. “But that’s the way of the NBA. But like I said, we’ve got to put our trust in these guys and see what happens in the future. We’re going to show up to work, and we’re going to do what we can to improve the team as much as we can. We’re going to get guys better and try to help these guys compete.”
Including the newest additions.
Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson were selected in the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday, and Walker gives each a solid stamp of immediate approval.
“I was a part of both of their draft workouts,” Walker said. “I think they’re really good. I’m a big fan of Hannes. He has game, bro. He’s going to continue to improve. He’s a hard worker. He’s an outstanding rebounder. His IQ is really high. He’s going to fit like a glove with our team.”
“And then Christian, the boy can hoop. I don’t know if guys got a chance to watch him in college, but that kid can hoop. He can pass, he can shoot. He can shoot at a very, very high clip. And hopefully I get a chance to work with him a little bit as well to help him navigate through the NBA, learn his spot, help him find his mission in the league.
“But, yeah, we drafted good. I’m excited about our picks and how much they’re going to get better in the future.”
This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Why Kemba Walker is excited about Hornets’ future, 2026 NBA Draft additions."
