Kenny sky walker biography

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His remarkable performance in the 1986 NCAA tournament, where he set a record by scoring 11 times on 11 field goal attempts, remains a highlight of his college tenure.

 

Selected fifth overall by the New York Knicks in the 1986 NBA Draft, Walker made an immediate impact in the league. He is perhaps best remembered for winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1989, just days after the passing of his father, showcasing his resilience and dedication to the sport.

He is the second leading all-time scorer in men’s basketball with 2,080 points, behind only Dan Issel who had 2,138.

kenny sky walker biography

He is a member of the charter class of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame. In the McDonald’s All-Star Classic, he scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked 3 shots and had 2 dunks.

Walker capped his career as the second-leading scorer in program history with 2,080 total points. His contributions to the sport and the community have left an indelible mark, inspiring countless young athletes and fans.

 

Walker’s legacy is further cemented by his induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, a testament to his impact both on and off the court.

A native of Roberta, Georgia (2020 population: 813), Kenny was a McDonald’s All-American in high school before coming to UK in 1982. Born on August 18, 1964, in Roberta, Georgia, Walker’s exceptional talent and athleticism earned him the nickname “Sky” during his illustrious career.

 

Walker rose to prominence as a standout player for the University of Kentucky Wildcats from 1982 to 1986.

Kenny Walker

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basketball player

Kenneth "Kenny" "Sky" Walker is an American former professional basketball player, primarily for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association. He is currently a radio host for WVLK in Lexington, Kentucky. His 72 career SEC games played is the most in school history.

Education

After being named Mr. Basketball in his home state of Georgia in 1982, Walker chose to play collegiately at the University of Kentucky.

Career

Walker played college basketball at the University of Kentucky. After being named Mr. Basketball in his home state of Georgia, Walker verbally committed to play collegiately at Kentucky on March 18, 1982.

He also secured 3rd place in the 1990 contest.

However, his success on the court was dwindling, and knee injuries forced him to leave the National Basketball Association and join the ACB league in Spain.

Walker returned to the National Basketball Association in 1993 to play two seasons with the Washington Bullets as a role player.

In three years of high school basketball, he scored 1,938 and had 1,181 rebounds. He also played professionally in Spain, Italy and Japan. In 1982, the Atlanta Constitution newspaper dubbed him the best high school basketball prospect to ever emerge from Georgia. Walker was selected with the 5th pick of the 1986 National Basketball Association Draft by the New York Knicks.

Walker played for five coaches in five years with the Knicks.

Background

Walker was born in Roberta, Georgia. His professional experience, both in the NBA and internationally, are also part of the conversation.

Kenny “Sky” Walker, a revered figure in Kentucky basketball history, has passed away at the age of 60 after a battle with cancer.

He was the fifth overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft by the New York Knicks, and played in the NBA for the Knicks and the Washington Bullets. He also owns the record for most made free throws in a career (550) and in a season (218). He played a season (c1998) in Japan before retiring from professional basketball.

Achievements

  • On February 11, 1989, Walker won the National Basketball Association Slam Dunk Contest, competing three days after the death of his father.

34 Kenny Walker

Kenny “Sky” Walker is a two-time consensus All-American, a two-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, a four-time All-SEC player and is one of 38 players to have his jersey retired in the Rupp Arena rafters.

Walker was born in Roberta, Georgia.

He ranks among the all-time career leaders in field-goals made (765), rebounds (942) and double-doubles (31).

He started 103 career games for the Wildcats and helped UK amass a 102-30 record that included three regular-season SEC titles, two SEC Tournament crowns and a Final Four appearance in 1983.

  • Voted an NCAA Consensus First Team All-American in 1986 and an NCAA Consensus Second Team All-American in 1985, including first-team recognition from the Wooden Award
  • One of only two players in school history to win multiple SEC Player of the Year honors
  • Tabbed SEC Player of the Year All-SEC First Team All-SEC and All-NCAA Regional Team in 1986 when he led the team in scoring (20.0 points per game), blocks (1.2 bpg) and rebounds (7.7 rpg), and was second in field-goal percentage (.582)
  • Achieved his highest point and rebounding averages in his junior season in 1984-85 with 22.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game
  • Also tabbed SEC Player of the Year, All-SEC First Team and All-NCAA Regional Team in 1985
  • Helped guide UK to SEC regular-season titles in 1983, 1984 and 1986 and SEC Tournament championships in 1984 and 1986
  • Scored in double figures in all 67 games for two consecutive seasons (1984-85 and 1985-86), including 20 or more points in 39 games and 30 or more nine times
  • Named All-SEC First Team by the league’s coaches, AP and UPI in his sophomore season
  • Voted All-SEC Third Team by the AP in the 1982-83

Following his days in the blue and white, Walker was drafted No.

5 overall in the 1986 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.