Walker Kessler

Walker Ross Kessler, born on July 26, 2001, is a renowned American professional basketball player currently affiliated with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Kessler’s basketball journey has seen him progress from a distinguished high school player to a respectable NBA player and an instrumental contributor to the Utah Jazz team. His basketball prowess got him recognition nationwide and has been acknowledged through ample prestigious awards.

Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, Kessler exhibited an early love and aptitude for basketball, leading to his enrolment at Woodward Academy where he established an impressive reputation as a formidable player during his high school years. In his final year, Kessler racked up a commendable scoreline averaging 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game, propelling his team to its inaugural Class 4A state championship. In recognition of his incredible performances, Kessler was bestowed The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball, and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. His outstanding talent led to him being selected for the McDonald’s All-American team. Apart from his high school basketball career, Kessler also showcased his talent with Game Elite in the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.

Regarded as a five-star recruit and one of the high-ranking centers in the class of 2020, Kessler was presented with multiple offers from esteemed colleges, including Duke, Michigan, Virginia, and Vanderbilt. However, he decided to play college basketball for North Carolina. His spell with North Carolina was marked by exceptional performances; on March 10, 2021, Kessler marked his name in the records by posting 16 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks in a 101–59 win over Notre Dame in the ACC tournament’s second round. This performance set a North Carolina freshman record and an ACC Tournament record for blocks in a game. Although his freshman season saw him average only 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, his capacity to contribute significantly to games was proven.

Post his initial season, Kessler made the decision to transition to Auburn, beating out Gonzaga for his commitment. His performances at Auburn saw him receive SEC Player of the Week honors on January 25, after robust performances against Georgia and Kentucky. Recognized as one of the nation’s premier shot-blockers, Kessler set a record for the highest number of blocks in a single season at Auburn, surpassing all but 13 teams nationwide. Consequently, he was honored as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, included in the All-SEC First Team, and made the 3rd Team All American. Choosing to forgo his remaining college eligibility, Kessler announced his decision to enter the 2022 NBA draft on April 3, 2022.

The NBA draft saw Kessler chosen by the Memphis Grizzlies as the 22nd pick overall before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with TyTy Washington for Jake LaRavia. Kessler’s time with the Timberwolves was short-lived as he was shortly traded to the Utah Jazz, together with Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, Malik Beasley, and four future first-round picks, in exchange for Rudy Gobert. Following this trade, Kessler signed his rookie scale contract with the Jazz.

Kessler’s rookie season was marked by not just steady improvement, but also some standout performances. This includes a remarkable double-double with a career-best 20 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, alongside four assists and two blocks in a match against the Minnesota Timberwolves which saw them win 126–125. He also recorded a career-best 31 points and 11 rebounds in a defeat to the Sacramento Kings. Across his rookie season, Kessler was fielded in 74 games with an average of 9.2 points per game. His impactful rookie season culminated in him being shortlisted as a finalist for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award; he eventually secured third place in the voting.

Basketball runs in the Kessler family, with both his father, Chad Kessler, and uncle, Alec Kessler having had successful college basketball careers at Georgia before they were drafted into the NBA and subsequently became orthopedic surgeons. Kessler’s elder brother, Houston, also followed the family legacy by playing basketball for Georgia. The Kessler family’s basketball lineage indeed played a significant role in shaping Walker Kessler’s journey, marking him as one of the emerging basketball talents of his generation.