April 13, 2011 | Kenneth Best - UConn Communications

Maya and Kemba Move On

As always, All-American Maya Moore knew where she was headed. As usual, All-American Kemba Walker knew where he wanted to go, but will have to figure out where his path will take him. Within 24 hours, Moore was selected on Monday as the No. 1 pick by the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Draft held […]

<p>Kemba Walker Press Conference. Photo by Jessica Tommaselli</p>
Kemba Walker with Coach Jim Calhoun at a press conference, where he announced his intention to enter the NBA draft June 23. Photo by Jessica Tommaselli

As always, All-American Maya Moore knew where she was headed. As usual, All-American Kemba Walker knew where he wanted to go, but will have to figure out where his path will take him.

Within 24 hours, Moore was selected on Monday as the No. 1 pick by the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Draft held at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn.; and Walker announced during a news conference on Tuesday at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion that he will give up his senior year and enter the NBA Draft, scheduled for June 23.

Moore leaves UConn with two NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships and every major award in college basketball during her four years as the best player of her era.

“I got anxious, a little nervous, excited probably 10 seconds before I went up there,” Moore told reporters about the moment she had dreamed of for years. Asked if she would be able to lead the Lynx to the WNBA playoffs, she answered as she did each year as a Husky: “Every year, the goal is a championship. That’s what I expect.”

Walker led the men’s basketball team to its third NCAA title while posting the best season as a men’s basketball player in a Huskies uniform.

“The whole state of Connecticut has been very supportive throughout my whole career here,” he said. “Connecticut will always be my home, regardless of anything.”

Men’s head coach Jim Calhoun added: “I told Kemba this morning what I thought about the idea of him going to the NBA. I just told him honestly, we don’t have a scholarship for him now. I told him it’s time for him to move on, just like when he completes all his school work, he’ll graduate. He’s graduating basketball-wise, too. He’s as fine a person as I’ve ever coached.”