Chinese fans have embraced Kemba Walker and he’s enjoying the attention as the biggest star on Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reports. Many fans are wearing his jersey in the stands.
“To know you have fans in other places, especially me, it was very humbling,” Walker said. “It’s just a great feeling.”
While many stars passed on playing for their national teams this summer, Walker has looked forward to this opportunity for years.
“It’s special to be a part of this team,” Walker said. “I’ve been a part of USA Basketball for years, I was on a couple Select Teams where I didn’t get this far. I appreciate it.”
We have more World Cup news:
- Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who is representing France, is upset by FIBA’s drug testing procedure, Sportando relays. Gobert posted on Twitter that he was awaken after a late game to get tested. “No respect for the player’s recovery time,” he wrote in part.
- Former NBA forward Luis Scola has moved into second place on FIBA’s all-time World Cup scoring list, Sportando reports. The 39-year-old Scola trails only Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt. He surpassed Australia’s Andrew Gaze during a game against Nigeria.
- Marko Guduric, who signed with the Grizzlies this summer, is averaging 10.5 PPG for Serbia through two games in the FIBA World Cup, David Cobb of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. The swingman inked a two-year, $5.3MM deal with Memphis after playing the last two seasons for Fenerbahçe in Turkey.
That’s the whole point of testing, Rudy. To do it when players expect they wouldn’t.
Poor Rudy needs his beauty sleep, give him a break.
Come on man! Do you think it makes any difference to test him while sleeping or waiting a few hours to be awake… No it doesn’t, so they should remember that the World Cup is all about the players, they should show more respect & consideration. Anyway drug testing is all a joke, not worth loosing sleep over it.