In this episode of Locked On UConn, host Mark Zanetto celebrates July 4th and dives into what made Kemba Walker an extraordinary player and person. From his roots and family support to the coaches who believed in him early on, Mark explores the journey that shaped Kemba into a National Player of the Year and a national champion. The episode also highlights a pivotal moment in Kemba's career—the elite eight game against Missouri in the 2009 season.

Show Notes:

Introduction:

Welcome to the show and a Happy July 4th to all listeners.

Gratitude to the audience for making Locked On UConn their first listen every day.

Reminder that the podcast is free and available on all platforms, including YouTube.

Housekeeping:

Encouragement for YouTube subscribers to also download the audio version of the podcast.

Request for listeners to subscribe and follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or their preferred platform.

Importance of reviews in helping the channel grow and reach new audiences.

Today's episode sponsor: Gametime. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase.

Main Segment: What Made Kemba Walker Great:

Discussion on Kemba Walker's journey and the people who influenced him.

Highlights of Kemba's gratitude towards his parents and his acknowledgment of their sacrifices.

Mention of Kemba's junior high coach, Carl Nickerson, who believed in him early on.

Credit to Mo Hicks from Rice High School for preparing Kemba for college basketball.

Kemba's dream of playing for UConn and his admiration for Coach Jim Calhoun.

Key moments that defined Kemba's career, with a focus on the elite eight game against Missouri in the 2009 season.

Ad Read: Gametime:

Personal anecdote about enjoying MLB games and the convenience of buying tickets through Gametime.

Benefits of using the Gametime app, including last-minute ticket deals and viewing seat locations before purchase.

Promo code and instructions for getting a discount on the first purchase.

Promotional Segment: Locked On Sports Today:

Information about the new 24/7 sports streaming channel available on YouTube and Amazon Fire TV.

Benefits of watching Locked On Sports Today for daily sports news and analysis without the loud commentary.

Guest Segment: Ryan Gresh:

Introduction of guest Ryan Gresh (Note: Specific content with Ryan Gresh was not detailed in the provided notes).

Conclusion:

Recap of the episode and closing remarks from host Mark Zanetto.

Encouragement to stay connected and engaged with the Locked On UConn community.

Signature sign-off: "Stay locked in, stay connected, make sure your toughness meter is always rising, and as always, Go Huskies!"

Closing:

Reminder to subscribe and follow the podcast on all platforms.

Gratitude to listeners for their continued support.

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