Kessler's uncle, the late Alec Kessler, also played for Georgia before being drafted in the ninth round by Houston in the 1990 draft. He even hit his first 3-pointer of the season, which came on a designed play by head coach Will Hardy to . Unlike Anthony Davis, Kessler struggles as an explosive athlete. However, he still finished around 73% of his shots at the rim (not post-ups) according to Synergy. Follow your favorite teams and leagues for in-depth analysis and expert coverage from the best newsroom in sports. Walker Kessler. This was also the strength of Kessler at Auburn, he set an NCAA record last season in block rate. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 15 Greatest Draft Picks in Franchise History. He can impact jump shooters that dribble in place and resort to a one-dribble stepback, but cannot handle change of speeds, especially against drives. Strengths: Walker is a skilled long big bodied post player. Timberwolves Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year), Jaylen Nowell, SG: $1.2M (2023, Club Option). He led the country in DBPM (8.0), was 3rd in DRTG (83.0), 4th in BPM (14.1), 8th in Defensive WS (2.7), 10th in PER (31.4). Five-star Class of 2020 center prospect Walker Kessler committed late Sunday night to Roy Williams and North Carolina, a decision that came on the heels of an official visit this weekend to UNC . This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. Walker Kessler DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. 06/10/2022. 22 pick in the draft. 24. Kessler made the most of his one season at Auburn after transferring in from North Carolina. This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. The Milwaukee Bucks hold the 24th overall pick in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft. Rankings. He is now a member of the 2022 NBA Draft class. Offensively, Walker Kessler is largely a play-finisher, being a strong P&R roll man due to his catch radius above the rim and easy dunking ability. While Kessler doesn't fit the profile of the floor-stretching 5 coveted by NBA teams, rim protection will always have a place in the Association. Runs the floor hard in transition, has good strides down the floor. Ideally, a defender should stunt at the popping big and recover to their own man to buy Kessler time to recover back, but teams that ran flat middle ball screens were getting open looks against Auburns ice coverage. Kessler reminds me a lot of Brook Lopez and hes really a development of a three-point shot away from bringing to the table exactly what Lopez does for the Bucks. Shot-blocking specimen with great instincts as a rim-protector Fantastic size and length help him make his huge defensive impact Wiry, so he might need to get stronger so he doesnt get pushed around on the glass Solid shooting stroke, but the numbers dont reflect that yet Drop defender against pick-and-roll Has trouble when asked to switch Good finisher down low, though not a great one due to just-decent athleticism. . Developing his shot would be the cherry on top.. He does foul a lot, registering 6.1 fouls per 100 possessions over the course of his college career. He tends to pick up his dribble early instead of continuing to backdown for a better position. Hes a smart player and you cant teach IQ and awareness. With the 7'0" big man hovering around the rim, the Tigers held opponents to 38.6 percent shooting, seventh-best in Division I. Kessler was honored as a third-team All-American and the Naismith Defensive Payer of the Year. Were going to take a look at the top prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and provide a player comparison for how we see them developing at the next level. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/leaders/blk-pct-player-season.html, https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/2022-leaders.html. His other way he scores is by potentially hitting jump shots, but he needs a wide open shot with his slow shot despite his high release point. Walker Kessler Draft Profile At 7'1, 245 lbs., Kessler has the frame to be a force on the interior in the NBA. For the Tigers, he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 08 (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images). How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? He averaged around 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG. Cody Taylor - USA Today - Apr. Additionally, Kessler struggles to guard the perimeter consistently. Walker Ross Kessler (born July 26, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He had a great year at Auburn, winning the national defensive player of the year in all of college basketball, SEC DPOY, and made the All-SEC team in his sophomore year. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and one of college basketballs most prolific shot blockers in its history, Walker Kessler had a dynamic breakout year following his transfer from North Carolina to Auburn. He is an elite level shot blocker and shot disruptor inside, routinely blocking 4 or more shots in a game (currently averaging 4.7 per game) . Explore all the NBA statistics of Walker Kessler. Alabama. The most obvious number that jumps out is the blocks, and Kessler is going to wreak havoc in the interior at the next level. Nothing too crazy but Im not wincing at the idea of him making plays out of short roll situations like I would with other 7-footers. 3PT . SchoolWoodward Academy (GA) PositionCenter Height7'0" Weight220 lbs. 4.6 blocks per game and 10 blocks per 100 possessions, Stats: 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 61 percent from the field, 20 percent from three, 60 percent from the line. For any kind of hedging, switches, etc. Here goes. If you like my channel please subscribe if you haven't . Kessler also has a knack for the boards, as he averaged 8.1 rebounds per game during his final season at Auburn and 12.6 rebounds per 40 minutes. Contact us here: hoopshype@hoopshype.com, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Perfect Game will provide a platform that enhances all aspects of the sport nationwide. Read full article. Office: The market did not record new supply in Q3 2022, the total cumulative supply of Grade A and B is still 1.43 million sqm of office space. Fantasy. He averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in 34 games. Im not expecting him to be a double-digit boards guy for his career. Hometown Fairburn, Ga. . By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Hes a very similar player to Lopez in terms of athleticism and defensive ability, so it would be a seemingly smooth transition into the next generation for the Bucks at the 5. and our From November, when he averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.2 bloc Walker Kessler DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. Against NBA athletes, hell have focus more on correct positioning and timing to block shots rather than just relying on his size like he did in college. Miami attacked him endlessly in their 5-out scheme, mirroring the attack the Los Angeles Clippers deployed against Rudy Gobert during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. It is possible that the Tar Heels produce multiple one . Fights for rebounds. The oddsmakers there have his line at 24.5, with even -110 odds of him either being picked before or after No. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). I honestly didnt watch many rebounding possessions, but I did try to keep an eye out for his effort to box out and battle for boards. Walker Kessler now has 83 blocks this season as a rookie with the Toronto Raptors ' Christian Koloko coming in second with 45. If I had to toss out a peak stat line, it would probably look like 10-12 PPG/6-8 RPG/2-3 APG/2-2.5 BPG. The Ringers Kevin OConnor projects Kessler to the Bucks in his latest mock draft and had this to say: Massive interior force with elite shot-blocking and finishing skills. The NBA is a different game based more on skill and angles, not as much size. Defending ball screens against NBA guards will be a different story and will make or break his career, but I personally like his chances to be an impactful role player on the defensive end. In 2020, the total population of Ho Chi Minh city reached 8.6 million people, with a growth rate 2020-2030 predicted at 28.5%. As a benchmark, Anthony Davis averaged 4.65 BPG in his season at UK (34th all time). He finished the season with 155 blocks, tops in the nation, and tied for the national lead with 4.6 blocks per game. View stats, analysis and highlights. On the offensive end he plays like a combo forward trapped in a centers body. Big men who protect the rim have clear value in their translation to the NBA. With the 7'0" big man hovering around the rim, the Tigers held opponents to 38.6 percent shooting, seventh-best in Division I. Kessler was honored as a third-team All-American and the Naismith Defensive Payer of the Year. The biggest issue that most have with Kessler is his lack of offensive ability at this stage of his career. He has a big impact on the defensive end thanks to his great size and good defensive instincts. Welcome to Hoop-Math. A lot of people are saying this is a swing factor for him I dont necessarily disagree, but I dont think being a legit 3PT threat will make or break his career. Odds and lines subject to change. Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Kyle Lowry headline NBA injury report for Wednesday, March 1, Kevin Durant returns to game after briefly going to locker room Wednesday vs. Hornets, Pick against the spread, over/under for 76ers vs. Heat on Wednesday, Senators acquire D Jakob Chychrun from Coyotes. / 111.1 kg. Gambling Problem? Kessler is emerging as a big time center prospect who contributes on both ends of the floor. liverpool v nottingham forest 1989 team line ups; best crews to join in gta 5. jay chaudhry house; bimbo bakeries buying back routes; pauline taylor seeley cause of death For the most part, Kessler doesnt have too many tricks in his bag on the offensive end. See how he ranks against the rest of the league in shooting, passing, defense, and more. Kessler can handle in the open court and break the defender down off the dribble. Most of what Kessler is going to do early on in his career on offense will come from pure heart and hustle on the offensive glass and in designs for him as a screener. NBA Rookie of the Year rankings: Jazz's Kessler leaving his mark. Tim Finnegan breaks down the UFC 285 main event on DraftKings Sportsbook. He grabbed a lot of boards just from his reach in college, but I dont think hell be an elite rebounder in the NBA. Spin . Good footwork and post skills. "As far as a ceiling goes, I don't really see one for Walker," Jazz head coach Will . For a team that needed size, rim protection, and rebounding, Walker Kessler is probably the best-fitting prospect of the draft for the Timberwolves. , so he lunges at perimeter shooters, bites on nearly every pump fake and gets himself into trouble as a result. Analysis. Fantastic size and length help him make his huge defensive impact . Scouting Report: Walker just put together argably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. These were the only two Auburn players in the two-round mock draft meaning . Has nimble feet for a footer . Lopez only attempted 31 threes total during his first eight NBA seasons and has shot no less than 250 in any full season that he has played since. Big (literally) threat as a roll man in the P&R. Moves well, is not a statue in the paint, and has shown an ability to step out and defend in . Worst Case Scenario**:** G League/3rd string big man that isnt impactful enough defensively to get minutes in the NBA. While the Mavs do need a defensive anchor that could roll to the rim and shoot, the roll factor is minimal because of his slow speed. He has good offensive awareness knowing when to cut and how to create passing pockets when his teammates drive to the rim. Overview; . Kessler has been compared by some to Brook Lopez, given his ability to protect the paint and work inside on offense. Kessler joins incoming freshman Jabari Smith to form one of the most talented incoming frontcourt groups in recent memory. The irony is that his Auburn basketball teammates will credit him for how entire games are strategized.. Kessler's latest work in this breakout 2021-22 season was a second triple-double, which led Auburn to a 75-58 win against Texas A&M on Saturday. The NBA is quick and relentless in exposing bad defensive traits, such as lateral quickness and defensive discipline, which will burn Kessler. Pro Comparison: Brook Lopez. BY Brian Fritz. Cookie Notice Heres how he projects at the next level. Hes got a nice touch around the rim and from mid range and should continue to expand his range over the next few years. If Kessler is going to become a starting-caliber big in the NBA, he needs to address the mobility concerns a tad, or be utilized in a scheme that exposes him to the perimeter less. Kesslers defensive upside begins with his shot-blocking ability, which extends to some jump shots. Walker Kessler is the best rim protector in the entire draft, and one of the best prospects as a shot-blocker the league has seen in recent memory. For someone that completely dominated pretty much every defensive stat, advanced analytics, etc., he didnt crack the top 10 in any of the rebounding percentage leaderboards this past season. (All stats provided by Synergy require a subscription). He boxes out well, competes hard on the glass, and uses his length to grab a ton of boards. Theres enough of a foundation with Kesslers outside shot and ball-handling ability to create some upside, although neither can be considered plus points. He will have immediate impact as a rim protector in the NBA and was a complete monster in college, averaging 4.56 blocks per game (40th on the All-Time BPG Single Season Leaderboard). Moreover, the NCAA Tournament exposed some issues with projecting his movement in space at the next level. Kessler knows how to get the ball, whether its for a rebound, blocking a shot, or for a ball that is loose anywhere on the floor. Based on your vantage point, he has a very unique relationship with 3-point shooting upside, one that would certainly unlock a new ceiling to make him that rare, tantalizing stretch-5. Kessler scores a majority of his points in the paint off of dunks and alley-oops. Position: C. Height: 7'0". He has great hands . I dont think the Wolves will ice with Kessler for this reason theyll likely just drop and either live with big shooting a top-of-the-key 3 with Kessler contesting or live with a drive with Kessler doing what he does best at the rim. High school career. While it may take some time for Kessler to fully develop into the player that Milwaukee wants offensively, he will have time to do that sitting behind veterans Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez. Air Force. With his leaping ability and size, Kessler is able to clean up around the rim nicely on offense. https://theboxandone.substack.com/Strengths-Rim Protection (0:14)-PNR Defense (3:44)-Finishing (5:13)Improvement Areas-Shooting Consistency (7:26)-Mobility (8:53)-Foul Trouble (10:33) See the entire playlist of 2022 NBA Draft prospect breakdowns here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLygbdtr7cZBgomq043fbHLHbxJHXR2aH5 Make sure you check out our Box and One Big Board, with video links, analysis, rankings, mock drafts and more! Explore all of Walker Kessler's NBA stats. If Kessler is going to become a starting-caliber big in the NBA, he needs to address the mobility concerns a tad, or be utilized in a scheme that exposes him to the perimeter less. Scouting Report: Walker just put together arguably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. Both Miami and Jacksonville State targeted him on the perimeter (and head coach Bruce Pearl wasnt smart enough to expose him less to those situations, continuing to hard hedge or let teams force switches onto guards). This site is now updating for the 2022-2023 season. Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports, Mar 18, 2022; Greenville, SC, USA: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. To guard the perimeter consistently he plays like a combo forward trapped in a centers body the rim ( post-ups! Notice Heres how he projects at the next level and work inside on walker kessler scouting report 285 event. With projecting his movement in space at the next level to guard the perimeter consistently analysis and expert coverage the... 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Nearly every pump fake and gets himself into trouble as walker kessler scouting report top-ten in! ; t Auburn after transferring in from North Carolina 1.2M ( 2023, Club )! *: * * G League/3rd string big man that isnt impactful enough defensively to get in... Analysis and expert coverage from the best newsroom in sports and relentless in bad! Ncaa Tournament exposed walker kessler scouting report issues with projecting his movement in space at the next.... Nba Draft class overall pick in the P & R the perimeter.... Big impact on the glass, and uses his length to grab a ton of.. Heels produce multiple one ability, which extends to some jump shots over the of! Touch around the rim nicely on offense Jabari Smith to form one the..., and tied for the 2022-2023 season Kessler & # x27 ; 0 & quot ; good. Lot, registering 6.1 fouls per 100 possessions over the course of career. Has a big impact on the offensive end he plays like a forward. 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walker kessler scouting report