Kemba Walker: UConn Star Reads First Book
University of Conneticut star guard Kemba Walker didn’t surprise anyone when he announced that he would forgo his senior year with the Huskies and enter into the 2011 NBA draft. He did, however, shock people when he admitted that just weeks ago -- at age 20 -- he finished reading a book for the first time ever.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Walker says he went through high school and college without reading an entire book cover-to-cover. What’s even more surprising is the fact that Walker is actually graduating with a degree from UConn a year early.
LINK: The Root
LINK: Sports Illustrated
about 1 year ago
-PS-
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Ladies and Gentleman, collegiate athletics!
"You’d be surprised what you can accomplish if you’re not concerned with making sense!"- PS
HEY! The vast majority of collegiate athletes are going pro in something other than sports.
the commercials told me so!
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
Yeah, going pro in making shivs and stabbing people of a color besides you!
/colincowherded
WORD PLAY
by Biz Markie Moon on Apr 19, 2011 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless you're an english major, how many books do you really read in college?
I’ll be the first to say I didn’t read my Macroeconomics text cover to cover, or for that matter any book that I was assigned. At least he admits it.
Somewhere there is a larger conversation about the need for liberal education vs. specialization, but I’ll need to be drunk with some skoal in my lip for that conversation.
What about public school? What about before he was Future NBA Superstar Kemba Walker? My son is 3 and he reads books like mad, cover to cover. The Cat In The Hat is no War And Peace, but c’mon, son — reading is fundamental!
by garrettelliott on Apr 19, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, the interview actually says he didn’t finish a book in high school or college. I can see getting away with that, what with Cliffs Notes and tutors and being a talented athlete.
I thought it said it was the first book he had ever finished. Like, in his life. I could see Cliffs Notes and tutors, but for him to say it’s the first book he’s ever finished cover-to-cover is a bold statement.
by garrettelliott on Apr 20, 2011 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I hope that book was not the playbook of Huskies.
Where broken English happens
by OK from J on Apr 19, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Most people don't read fiction and non-fiction books
Walker’s statement is meaningless as it relates to literacy. Kemba Walker has been busting his ass getting better at basketball and doing schoolwork for his entire adult life. The real story here is he has elite level focus. A side story is the decline of long form writing. A non story is OMG Kemba Walker has never finished a book. That describes a choice that most people make in modern life. Most people believe having to read Huck Finn cover to cover doesn’t actually help you as a clerk or accountant or whatever. But nobody wants to say ‘Yeah, I haven’t read a book in a long time either’ so everybody gasps when Walker says something perfectly normal.
I maintain that it’s not normal. He didn’t say, “I haven’t read a book in a long time…” He actually said, “You can write that. It is the first book I’ve ever read.” THE FIRST BOOK HE’S EVER READ! I’m probably over-reacting, but it’s crazy to me.
by garrettelliott on Apr 20, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
it's fucking crazy
I maintain that it’s not normalREAD A BOOK KEMBA! READ A MUTHAFUCKIN BOOK
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
surely he can't be serious
I mean, cat in the hat? Where the wild things are? Some random judy bloom book?
I prefer Wayside School is Falling Down.
The chapter where the girl gets lost on the 13th floor where all of her new classmates are memorizing the dictionary is classic. And the chapter where the kid gets a tattoo for his birthday and after all his classmates suggest these crazy awesome ideas, he comes to school with a tattoo of a potato.
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
by The Boourns on Apr 20, 2011 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And in my opinion, this means little without the context of another NBA player
For all we know, there hasn’t been a lottery pick drafted in the past 5 years that has read a book cover to cover and as such Kemba is the norm. But something tells me the cerebral assassin enjoys a good mystery novel.
Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.
I could see Greg Monroe reading Joseph Conrad for some reason.
WORD PLAY
by Biz Markie Moon on Apr 20, 2011 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
wow dude
I was gonna say “The Chocolate War” up there after the Judy Bloom comment but I thought “nobody will like this”
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
You underestimated my lit-geekiness. I find your lack of faith disturbing.
WORD PLAY
by Biz Markie Moon on Apr 21, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
never again. now if you'll excuse me, I must go study some
WORD PLAY
That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice
Oh shit, I forgot about Pau Gasol having to read 2666 by Roberto Bolano. That book was my damn JOINT. I never finished it, but it was pretty great.
Also, I forgot about Dirk Nowitzki reading. That was pretty cool.
WORD PLAY
by Biz Markie Moon on Apr 20, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Looked It Up
Probably not exactly my cup of tea…but you could see the guy’s genius.
As for Walker, props to him for coming out and discussing this.
Just Vpinion
by V. on Apr 21, 2011 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Here’s a video of my 3-year old son reading.
I guess I’m just pretty passionate about literacy. This story still boggles my mind.
There’s no way that’s your son, he didn’t say “Eh” at the end of every sentence.
WORD PLAY
by Biz Markie Moon on Apr 23, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Wait, isn't this amazing?
If your son is reading at 3 doesn’t that mean he’s ready for one of those “your kid can read” infomercials
Welcome... to the Wallace-hood
Yeah, kind of.
It’s a bit freaky. He has a crazy memory and is good with numbers and music and can read. So we think he might be a bit advanced for now but his smarts might take a back seat once his post game starts to develop.
by garrettelliott on Apr 23, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoa, your son is 3? Damn! That’s amazing. Tell him an anonymous dude on the internet said he’s awesome, even if his dad beat him the DBB fantasy basketball league championships.
WORD PLAY
by Biz Markie Moon on Apr 24, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Haha, yeah, you know, I actually made a video of him saying bebounds when he was around 2 years old I think. I should dig it up.
by garrettelliott on Apr 24, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
his smarts might take a back seat once his post game starts to develop
That’s right! The world needs alot more low post scoring threats than they need Doctors, or Lawyers, or for that matter stretch-4’s.
(But seriously, foster a natural love of reading in the kid, and don’t be afraid to provide more challenging books at home than they offer at school.)
Welcome... to the Wallace-hood
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