The Boston Celtics will open the 2024-25 NBA postseason as the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed, pitting them against the No. 7 Orlando Magic in the opening round. The first-round series doesn't begin until Sunday, though, giving Celtics fans the perfect opportunity to see what some of the franchise's former players are up to this spring.
As it turns out, one former Celtics starter who recently walked away from basketball just announced his surprise return to the sport.
Former Celtics Guard Kemba Walker Joins BIG3 for 2025 Season
One former Celtic whom the fanbase hasn't heard much from lately is Kemba Walker. The former four-time All-Star stepped away from basketball when he announced his NBA retirement last July, leaving time to tell where life would take him next.
As it turns out, the answer to that question is back to basketball.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on Thursday morning that Walker "has reached an agreement to play for Ice Cube's The BIG3 for the 2025 season."
Four-time NBA All-Star point guard Kemba Walker has reached an agreement to play for @IceCube’s @TheBig3 for the 2025 season, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/yxb9gGDbdc
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 17, 2025
Walker is just one of several former NBA stars who'll be competing in the upcoming BIG3 season, which will debut "eight all-new location-based teams." Former three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard recently revealed that he's joined the BIG3 for the last playing season of his basketball career.
It's going to be interesting to see if Walker finds success in his new venture. The former UConn product was one of the most exciting players to watch during his time in the Association, averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and .418/.360/.840 shooting splits across 750 games played wth the Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks.
Walker most recently spent the 2023-24 campaign playing 26 EuroLeague games for Monaco. The Bronx, NY native looked like a shell of his former self amid the overseas action, putting up 4.4 points while shooting 38.9% from the floor and 36.4% from deep along the way.
The Gary Payton-coached Boston Ball Hogs are one of the eight BIG3 teams this season, meaning it might not be long before Celtics fans get a chance to see Walker perform again. Each of the official rosters will be known when the league holds its 2025 draft on Thursday, May 15.