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Walker Ross Kessler (born July 26, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and Auburn Tigers.
Walker Kessler is a 7-foot center who plays for the Utah Jazz. He was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2022 and won the All-Rookie award in his first season.
- Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- July 26, 2001
Walker Kessler is a 22-year-old center for the Utah Jazz, drafted in 2022 from Auburn. He averages 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and has a 65.4 field goal percentage.
- FIRST-ROUND PICK. When Utah entered the 2022 NBA draft, not only did the Jazz not have a first-round pick, they didn't have a selection at all. Yet through the trade with Minnesota, they ended up with Kessler, the No. 22 overall pick out of Auburn.
- IMPRESSIVE BLOODLINE. One thing Kessler has going for him is that high-level basketball is in his blood. Kessler's father, Chad, and uncle, Alec, were both former NBA draft picks.
- BLOCKING MACHINE. With Rudy Gobert now in Minnesota, many were wondering how the Jazz would replace someone who was consistently among the top shot blockers in the league.
- SHOOTING POTENTIAL. While his offensive game is very reminiscent of Gobert's at this point in his career, the word out of Auburn is that Kessler is a solid shooter from beyond the arc.
May 26, 2024 · What happened to Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler during second season in the NBA? Is Walker Kessler still in Utah Jazz's long-term plans? After stellar rookie season, Jazz big man leveled off during sophomore campaign.
Jan 17, 2023 · Walker Kessler, the 22nd pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has impressed with his defense, rebounding, and passing for the Jazz. He leads all rookies in Win Shares, Box Plus-Minus, and Value Over Replacement Player, and is a contender for the All-Rookie team.