After 12 seasons in the NBA and two in the Development League, Antoine Walker has his eyes set on a return to basketball. Next time, maybe as a coach.
Last week Walker spoke to top high school and college basketball players at adidas Nations, a skills tournament in Long Beach, California. He shared his stories of obstacles and life lessons to prepare them for the next steps in their careers.
The former Boston Celtic also talked to HOOPSWORLD about the next steps in his own life.
I think one thing in life, you mature as you get older, Walker told Steve Kyler in a video interview. Trials and tribulations that you face throughout as a player, you try to deal with them as they come . . . Now I'm in the second phase of my life and that's the way I look at it. 35, you're just still so young so I can do so many things. I still could play if I want to, but I don't know if my dedication is to play anymore. It's a little difficult to get back in the mind frame and mindset.
Walker, who turned 36 on Sunday, averaged 17.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his career with the Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. He played 44 games for the Idaho Stampede last season before being waived in March.
Walker looks forward to exploring opportunities that will keep him close to the sport he loves.
I'll probably want to coach one day, he said. I don't know what level yet. I enjoy being around the game. I love the game of basketball. It definitely will be in sports, in some capacity. Right now it's hard to say, I'm trying to find my niche. That's why I want to come out and do these type of things. I also went to the NBA Pre-Draft Camps, talked to some GMs. I've just got to figure out what my niche will be, but it definitely will be in the game.
Boston Celtics
I don't know if it'll be on TV or being an analyst . . . But whatever I do, I want to do something that I love and am passionate about, and that's to be around the game of basketball.