Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets: Kemba Walker helps Team World defeat Team Africa, 108-97

By Jerry Stephens

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 4: Kemba Walker and Kyle Lowry of Team World practices for the 2017 Africa Game as part of the Basketball Without Borders Africa at the Ticketpro Dome on August 4, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 4: Kemba Walker and Kyle Lowry of Team World practices for the 2017 Africa Game as part of the Basketball Without Borders Africa at the Ticketpro Dome on August 4, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kemba Walker co-captained Team World against Team Africa as the NBA made a trip to South Africa to play an exhibition game.

The Charlotte Hornets were well represented in South Africa by Kemba Walker. Leading up to the event, the all-star point guard wasn’t sure if he would play in the exhibition game between Team World and Team Africa. The co-captain decided to give it a go but only played in a limited fashion.

This was Kemba’s first “competitive” game since having offseason surgery on his left knee. His recovery timetable was set at around six weeks. Although this game was scheduled for 11 weeks after the procedure, both Walker and the Hornets were unsure if the point guard should play in the game.

He ended up playing and starting in the game alongside Kyle Lowry, Courtney Lee, DeMarcus Cousins and captain Dirk Nowitzki. The 27-year old only played 11 minutes and 39 seconds in the game which was tied with Dirk for the fewest on Team World. Despite the limited minutes, Kemba put up 10 points and one assist on 4-6 shooting from the field and 2-3 from three.

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While his play was encouraging, the most important part about Walker’s game was that he looked healthy and did not suffer an injury.

Victor Oladipo of Team Africa took home MVP honors with a game-high 28 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists. Emmanuel Mudiay also had a strong showing with a near triple-double of 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

Celtics’ wing Jaylen Brown led Team World with 15 points as they had seven players score in double figures. Luol Deng and Joel Embiid sat out due to injuries but were on Team Africa’s roster.

Perhaps the most impressive moment of the night game came when Kemba nailed a half court shot for $60,000 with the money going to charity.

This was the NBA’s first trip to Africa since 2015 where Nicolas Batum represented the Charlotte Hornets for Team Africa as his dad was of Cameroonian origin.

Next: Just how good can Kemba Walker be?

While in Africa, Walker hosted basketball camps and even built homes for families in need. All in all, he said it was an eye-opening experience for Kemba and he said it has been “nothing short of amazing.”

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