Antoine Walker

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Lore & Background

Walker attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, where he played with future NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb and attained all-state status as a senior, earning a full scholarship to play for Rick Pitino at the University of Kentucky. He was a starting forward on the Wildcats' 1996 NCAA championship-winning team. As a freshman at Kentucky he was named SEC Tournament MVP. In his sophomore year, Walker was named All-SEC First, All-SEC Tournament and to the All-NCAA Regional Teams.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Walker's Heat career culminated in the 2006 NBA Finals against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks. In the series where Miami secured their first championship, Walker averaged 13.8 points per game. The defining moment came in the title-clinching sixth game in Dallas. Walker contributed exactly 14 points and 11 rebounds to secure the victory, cementing his place as an NBA champion. This achievement capped a journey that saw him win an NCAA title with Kentucky in 1996 before finally adding the NBA ring with Miami. Despite the Heat failing to repeat as champions the following season after a first-round loss to the Chicago Bulls, Walker's role in that 2006 run remains his most significant contribution to the franchise.

Reader's Guide

Walker played for the Boston Celtics (1996–2003), Dallas Mavericks (2003–2004), Atlanta Hawks (2004–2005), returned to the Celtics (2005), Miami Heat (2005–2007), Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2008), Mets de Guaynabo (2010), and Idaho Stampede (2010–2012). He won an NBA championship with the Heat in 2006. During his first season with the Heat (2005–06), he averaged 12.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as the team's main scorer off the bench. In the 2006 playoffs, he was the third leading scorer for the Heat, posting 13.8 points per game in the NBA Finals as Miami won in 6 games.

Did You Know?

• Walker briefly chose to wear the uniform number 88 during his second stint with the Celtics, as his trademark 8 jersey was being worn by rookie Al Jefferson. Jefferson would switch to number 7 after two games.