Connecticut guard Kemba Walker, left, cries as teammate Alex Oriakhi, center, and Jeremy Lamb, right, look up as Walker's number is added to the school's honor wall during a pep rally. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut has called a news conference for Tuesday with guard Kemba Walker, where it is expected the junior star will announce that he will enter the NBA draft.

Walker, who led UConn to its third national championship, is projected as a first-round pick and coach Jim Calhoun has said he has advised Walker to forgo his senior season. But with a lockout looming, Walker has so far left his options open.

"It would be a lot of fun if I came back," he said last week. "These guys are my brothers and I love them. So, if I have an opportunity to come back, it would be special."

Walker averaged almost 24 points and five assists per game in leading UConn to a 32-9 record, including an 11-0 run through the postseason. He accounted for 45 percent of his team's points.