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Earlier this month, Walker officially signed with the Stampede, where “Employee Number Eight” now wears the number 24. “I had a couple opportunities to go overseas,” Walker said, “but I didn’t want to go over there. I felt like if I went overseas, I would have probably been out of the loop to what I really wanted to do.” Walker never thought his career would lead to Idaho, but acknowledged it is the best option to attain his ultimate objective – playing in the NBA. For now, he plays his hardest and hopes for another NBA chance. “I just want to play, get my legs under me, let my play speak for itself,” he said. “I think it’s all about opportunity. I think when call-ups happen, it’s going to be a team that needs a guy that’s 6’9 with my skill level, that can stretch the floor and do certain things. I think it’s basically going to be about timing, and being in the right situation.” Booth Newspapers

Antoine Walker, D-League 

He tallied 25 points last night as the Stampede lost to the Maine Red Claws, 105-99, and the crowd left doubly satisfied because the home team won and Walker displayed some of the skills that earned him three NBA All-Star Game appearances. Still about 30 pounds above his listed NBA playing weight of 224, Walker slyly maneuvered his way to points in the post — and even a couple of 3-pointers, without the shimmy. “I’m having a lot of fun playing,’’ Walker said. “Having a good, close game, I love that. Every day is huge for me; it’s not really a day off for me. It’s coming. I’m feeling better and better. My body is responding better. I can feel it coming. I’m having a lot of fun. The guys are fun to be around. They welcomed me with open arms.’’ Boston Globe

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Ben Golliver: Antoine Walker on his attempted NBA comeback, to Rick Mahorn: "My body was almost looking like yours." http://on.nba.com/gsuXff Twitter

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Perhaps an NBA payday will come again, but Walker doesn’t need anyone to tell him that the D-League is not going to ease his well-chronicled struggle with debt. “Obviously I’m not here for the money,’’ he said. “I’m just trying to play ball, and if a (general manager) gets interested in me, great.’’ Though reports have Walker owing a broad range of creditors as much as $4 million, including a $900,000 tab to three Las Vegas casinos that led to his 2009 arrest, he claims not to know the actual amount. “We’re in court right now,’’ he said. “I have no clue what I owe. I can honestly say that it’s in the hands of my (legal) people, and we’ll see what happens.” Boston Herald

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Options are limited. Walker wasn’t in shape during his brief time with the Puerto Rican club Guaynabo last March, and when he looked into playing in Europe, the only interest came from leagues in more remote locations such as Russia and the Balkan nations. “None of the better leagues that I would have been interested in,” he said. At this point it’s difficult to gauge which is more difficult — paying back the banks, casinos and at least one former agent, or finding a taker in the NBA. “Obviously I have to reconstruct,” he said. “But I feel blessed. I’m not going to go jump off a bridge. I still feel I can play and compete.” Boston Herald

Antoine Walker, D-League 

One NBA executive, however, told Yahoo! Sports that Walker’s gambling issues will make it hard for teams to give him another chance. “A lot of people get discouraged about the gambling situation,” Walker said. “The casinos took advantage of a situation where I owed them money and we tried to work out a payment plan. But in 10 days they can issue a warrant for the money. They just did what they could do legally. “Obviously, we’re handling it behind the scenes to get it resolved.” Yahoo! Sports

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Walker now plays for the Idaho Stampede, the first step in what he hopes will be a successful return to the NBA. Saddled with debt and legal troubles, Walker hopes to prove that not only can he still perform on the court, he’s also improved his life off it. “It’s unfortunate that that’s the reason I’m not in the league,” Walker said. “We all go through trials and tribulations in life. I haven’t killed anybody. I haven’t committed a crime, so I don’t feel bad about it. It’s just a terrible decision I made.” Yahoo! Sports

Antoine Walker, D-League 

“I just invested in the wrong time,” Walker said. “I went into real estate in a recession and got caught. It’s nothing more, nothing less. There is not a big story to it. I think a lot of people think it’s a big, drawn-out story. “I’m the personal guarantor of my companies. We own a ton of real estate. The market went bad, and now we have to pay back a ton of debt. We got to pay back a lot of loans and it’s going to put me in a bad financial position. You win some, you lose some. “Obviously, am I disappointed? Yes. But at the same time, there are Fortune 500 companies that have taken a tremendous fall in this recession.” Yahoo! Sports

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Idaho was awarded Antoine Walker on waivers Tuesday morning and introduced the 34-year-old former lottery pick during a press conference in the afternoon. “My dream is to play in the NBA. I left the game at the wrong time,” said Walker, who has not played in the NBA since 2008. “I want to leave the game on my own merit. … This is the perfect stepping stone to see if I can still be competitive and play at that level.” Idaho Statesman

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Walker averaged 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in 12 NBA seasons with Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami and Minnesota. Walker won an NBA title with Miami in 2006. “I’m here to play,” Walker said. Idaho coach Randy Livingston said Walker would play Wednesday night, though neither coach nor player knows exactly how much Walker can contribute immediately. Walker has been working out with Rick Pitino’s Louisville team. Pitino coached Walker at Kentucky. “There’s not one NBA set or play that he hasn’t seen already,” Livingston said. Idaho Statesman

Antoine Walker, D-League 

The Idaho Stampede are quickly becoming the Miami Heat of the NBA D-League. And according to two league sources, the 0-7 team's recent stockpiling of well-known talent is about to continue with the addition of small forward Luke Babbitt. The Portland Trail Blazers rookie taken 16th overall by Minnesota out of the University of Nevada-Reno in June is, according to the sources, expected to be in uniform when the Stampede host Dakota on Wednesday night. He will join three-time All-Star Antoine Walker in his debut, as the 34-year-old who last played in the NBA in the 2007-08 season with Minnesota signed with the club on Friday and is looking to take the long road back to the NBA. Former NBA draft picks Luke Jackson (10th overall in 2004) and Salim Stoudamire (31st overall in 2005) already play for the Stampede. FanHouse.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Luke Babbitt, Antoine Walker, D-League 

Wendell Maxey: luke babbitt making his idaho stampede debut on wednesday night along with antoine walker....this can't be life. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Luke Babbitt, Antoine Walker, D-League 

Antoine Walker will play for the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Development League. Walker, 34 a Chicagoan who made more than $100 million in the NBA and won an NBA title but has descended into bankruptcy and faces felony bad check charges in Las Vegas, said at a Tuesday press conference in Boise he turned down offers with foreign teams. He has been out of the NBA since the end of the 2008 season. "I will probably be a little rusty at the beginning,'" Walker said. "Hopefully, it will come back real fast. Chicago Tribune

Antoine Walker, D-League 

"I had some personal problems going on and a lot of negativity, so I took a little time to gather myself and figure out what I want to do in life," Walker said, perhaps in reference to the various financial problems plaguing him the last couple of years. "Obviously I want to continue to play basketball. I think I'm still very young, being 34, and I think I can still play for a couple more years. FanHouse.com

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker is expected to be assigned to the Idaho Stampede on Tuesday. The Stampede have called an afternoon press conference to introduce Walker. Walker, 34, played 12 seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Boston Celtics, and made three All-Star appearances. Walker averaged 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds with Boston, Atlanta, Miami and Minnesota after being the No. 6 overall pick out of Kentucky in 1996. Idaho Statesman

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Antoine Walker, a 12-year NBA veteran and three-time NBA All-Star, has cleared the standard NBA Development League background check and was placed on waivers Friday, according to a league source, clearing the way for him to join the D-League's Idaho Stampede when he clears waivers Tuesday afternoon. The Idaho Stampede, the only winless team in the D-League with an 0-4 record, are expected to use their top choice in the waiver claim preference order to claim Walker, which they received after having the last pick in November's D-League Draft. Walker's expected signing with the D-League was first reported by FanHouse Sunday, though his contract only now becomes official. FanHouse.com

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker intends to launch his latest comeback with the D-League's Idaho Stampede, according to sources close to the situation. After years of legal and financial woes, Walker first must pass a background check that all D-Leaguers are subjected to before he can sign with the league, sources said. But plans are already in place for Walker's rights to be claimed by the Stampede, who are coached by former NBA guard Randy Livingston, as long as there are no snags with background review. ESPN.com

Antoine Walker, D-League 

As ESPN.com reported in September, Walker went to Charlotte on his own volition shortly before the start of training camp in hopes of impressing in pickup games and prompting Bobcats owner Michael Jordan to invite Walker to training camp. Walker stayed in Charlotte with Bobcats center and former University of Kentucky teammate Nazr Mohammed, but the 34-year-old couldn't convince his close friend Jordan to add him to the camp roster. Walker, though, is said to be in much better shape now than he was last March, when he lasted only eight games in the Puerto Rican league with the Guaynabo Mets, averaging 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. He hasn't played in the NBA since leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2007-08 season and is desperate to resurrect his career after being derailed by his mounting off-court troubles including charges of writing bad checks to three Las Vegas casinos. ESPN.com

Antoine Walker, D-League 

D-League Blogger Scott Schroeder of AOL FanHouse was the first to report Walker's intention to sign with the NBA's 16-team developmental league. ESPN.com

Antoine Walker, D-League 

Three-time NBA All-Star Antoine Walker has made numerous comeback attempts since last playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2007-08 NBA season, but the latest may show how dedicated he actually is at getting another shot in the NBA. Walker could soon be signing a contract with the NBA Development League, possibly as soon as Monday, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation. Walker, 34, averaged 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds over the course of his 12-year NBA career but wasn't able to earn an NBA training camp invite with the Charlotte Bobcats earlier this year after showing up to practice with them in September, a career move that seemingly signaled the end of domestic relevance for the former three-point 'shimmy'er. FanHouse.com

Free Agency, Antoine Walker, D-League