''I've been waiting for this opportunity for so long" - USA guard Kemba Walker

SHENZHEN (China) - Kemba Walker may be one of the biggest names on the United States roster at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, but don’t expect to hear much from him. The playmaker is more of the silent leader-by-example type - and one whose sole goal is to lift the trophy in Beijing on September 15.

During the buildup to the tournament, Walker was one of the most boisterous players about just being honored to get picked for the USA team and deflected any attention on those who elected to not play for the red, white and blue.

"It doesn't matter (who isn't on the team). It's all about the guys who are here," said Walker, who is making his first appearance for USA's senior national team. "It doesn't matter. We are the ones who are here. We really wanted to be here. We're the ones who are going to take on this challenge and do what we can to represent our country the best way we can."

Those comments came early in the tournament and after USA knocked off Greece to remain undefeated at 4-0 in Group K and just one win from the Quarter-Finals, Walker said he still feels the same way about having USA on his chest.

"Nothing changed for me. I've been waiting for this opportunity for so long in my career and now that I'm here, I'm excited," said Walker, who is leading USA with 14.3 points and 6.3 assists to go with 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals and shooting 40 percent from the three-point line.

"I'm just trying to do everything I can to represent my country as best as I can and help this team win games. Nothing has changed for me personally. I'm super excited to be here each day. I'm around the best group of guys possible."

Walker knows what it takes to win, having led the University of Connecticut to the US collegiate NCAA title in 2011 with one of the most memorable performances in the tournament’s history. He also is one of the most veteran players on the USA team at 29 years of age and having played eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets organization before moving to the Boston Celtics this off-season.

"I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR SO LONG IN MY CAREER."

 
The New York native is co-captain of the USA team along with Donovan Mitchell and Marcus Smart. And it's clear when you watch Walker play that he is one of the team's main leaders - even though he did not necessarily intend on being one.

"I never go into a situation where I say I'm the leader. It's just my personality: the kind of person I am; the kind of teammate I am; the level of respect I have for the game; the way that I practice; the tone that I try to set. Just lead by example," he said. "I'm not a loud guy or anything like that. I just lead by example and people happen to see it."

Walker is actually appearing in his second FIBA competition after playing at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2008 and taking home the MVP trophy despite the Americans finishing second - losing to Argentina in the Final.

Just like learning from the FIBA game back in 2008, Walker said this experience in China will help him develop his game down the road.

"From this I've learned the sacrifice. You have to. You have to sacrifice in order to win games," he said. "A lot of guys are sacrificing right now. A lot of us are primary scorers on our teams and here guys are not as big of scorers as during the NBA season. That's just a sacrifice you have to make in order to win."

United States are attempting to become the first country in history to win three straight World Cup crowns. Walker insists however that he didn’t even know that fact.

"We are just taking it game by game. It's gonna be a team effort. We don't really have any superstars on this team. So it's going to be a total, total team effort to win every game," he said. 

A team effort with Walker leading the way - but quietly.

FIBA