Rim Protection. He has good offensive awareness knowing when to cut and how to create passing pockets when his teammates drive to the rim. Big (literally) threat as a roll man in the P&R. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. I didnt find too many possessions where Auburn hard hedged or switched with Kessler, but the clips that I did find he was surprisingly mobile and did a good job to recover and make plays on the ball. 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. 22 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft. He averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in 34 games. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Fantasy. Another recruiting class, another elite big man for North Carolina, as 2020 center Walker Kessler committed to the Tar Heels on Sunday, telling Evan Daniels of Scouting Walker Kessler: Projection. Kessler can handle in the open court and break the defender down off the dribble. In a league where most players have mastered playing around length, Kessler will need to iron that out quickly. Worst Case Scenario**:** G League/3rd string big man that isnt impactful enough defensively to get minutes in the NBA. He averaged around 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG. Due to limited playing time, he transferred to Auburn. DRAFT SCOUTING REPORTS: Chet Holmgren | Paulo Banchero. He's a limited athlete and scorer, but signs of shooting confidence suggest he's capable of eventually adding a three-ball to complement his rim protection. Get the latest news and updates on Walker Kessler from The Athletic. Walker Kessler is a lock top 60 guy and I think has to be considered a fringe 1st rounder at this point. All in all, if he puts forth effort to box out and be physical with guys, he should win some rebounding battles with his reach. 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. He tries to block everything, so he lunges at perimeter shooters, bites on nearly every pump fake and gets himself into trouble as a result. Hes the only player in the basketball-reference database to post a block rate of 19% or over while playing more than 400 minutes in a season. Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha . Pictures & Videos. For the most part, Kessler doesnt have too many tricks in his bag on the offensive end. Looking at his defensive possessions in conference play and the NCAA tournament against Villanova and Miami, he needs to work on walling up with his chest in the post instead of going for blocks and allowing defenders space to make moves. Shot-blocking specimen with great instincts as a rim-protector. Watch on. Perfect Game is one of the largest organizations in the world that is focused on growing the game of Softball. Tim Connelly and the rest of the front office seemed to fill some of those holes with their first-round pick in Kessler. Are you sure you want to report Kessler's team for inappropriate content? As a sophomore, Kessler averaged 11.4 PPG, 8 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 4.6 BPG, and 1.1 TOPG on shooting splits 2022 NBA Draft scouting report of Auburn center Walker Kessler Runs the floor hard in transition, has good strides down the floor. Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images The Timberwolves made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18 after finishing seventh in the West and defeating the Clippers in their play-in game. Walker Kessler, a 7-foot center and UNC commit, is The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's all-classification boys player of the year for 2019-2020. He shows flashes of switchability onto the perimeter, good ground coverage from the weak side and a comfort level that very few his size have away from the hoop. Thats really about it when it comes to his offensive game though and thats what is so worrying about him at this point in time. Menu. Kessler's length, mobility, and rim protection give him a unique skill set, allowing him to provide great impact on an NBA floor. The 7-foot-1 sophomore finished with 12 points (10 . Void in ONT. He tries to block. High school career. Timberwolves Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year), Jaylen Nowell, SG: $1.2M (2023, Club Option). Will he be just another Drop coverage big, or can he mix things up in a more aggressive style of pick-and-roll defense? during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The team and fans certainly have their favorite targets. View stats, analysis and highlights. Report: Bears 'leaning toward' trading the No. Transfers to Auburn and re-discovers himself by playing big out of PNR, blocking shots . 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. At a towering 71, Kessler is much more mobile than many bird-legged or thick-bodied bigs. That's the best in college basketball for anyone who took at least 15 attempts there. 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! Additionally, Kessler struggles to guard the perimeter consistently. Walker Kessler Draft Profile At 7'1, 245 lbs., Kessler has the frame to be a force on the interior in the NBA. 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%. Offensively, Kessler is an efficient finisher near the rim who converted on 30 of 32 pick-and-roll attempts diving to the hoop, according to Synergy Sports Tech. youtu.be Walker Kessler Scouting Report 2022 NBA Draft In today's video, I will break down Walker Kessler, a projected 1st Round pick in the 2022 NBA draft. one thing they might be looking to do is add another big man. 3 POSITION: 3 REGIONAL: 1 STATE: 14th. Good motor and active on the offensive glass. (All stats provided by Synergy require a subscription). Obviously hes a big target so teammates cant miss him. Please play responsibly. He also collected first-team and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the SEC. Kessler scores a majority of his points in the paint off of dunks and alley-oops. / 111.1 kg. Kessler, just like Lopez, could be a monster defender for the Bucks. Saw some good passes from him throughout his possession clips, making good reads out of short rolls, finding cutters, Hi-Lo looks from 3PT-line to high post area. Kessler is also a strong rebounder and isnt afraid to mix things up in the middle. 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. His ORB%, DRB%, and TRB% were 15.3%, 21%, and 18%. 3PT . Injury Reports; Player Notes; Player Props New; NBA Roster Changes; Can't Cut List; Stat Corrections; Research. Walker Kessler (28%) made his first career start Wednesday and boy did he make the most of it! Heres how he projects at the next level. 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. He barely registered at North Carolina his freshman season but broke out last year at Auburn, averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game during the regular season. Rankings. He should be an elite rim protector at the next level. Please, How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? 15 Greatest Draft Picks in Franchise History. . 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 . H.S. His arms come down to swat at shots, which create fouls when he misses the ball, and he jumps forward while his arms are straight up, defeating the purpose of verticality altogether. This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. The 20-year-old might have a long career ahead. He averaged around 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG. The average cost to live in Ho Chi Minh city was around 25 thousand US$. Jerry Meyer Director of Basketball Scouting. Many of the strengths of Kessler get neutralized by NBA tempo, which could be quick to play him out of the league. On the offensive end he plays like a combo forward trapped in a centers body. With a 75 wingspan along with great body control and leaping ability, Kessler is able to deter shots at the rim and he defends without fouling. As a result, he was named the 2022 Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year in college basketball. 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. the Los Angeles Clippers deployed against Rudy Gobert. Analysis. With the Milwaukee Bucks holding the 24th pick in the 2022 NBA draft, one thing they might be looking to do is add another big man. 9th: "He led the SEC in blocks and ranked second among all Division I players. Last year, he played in the Australia U18 Nationals for Queensland South where he led all scorers averaging almost 27 points per game. #2022NBADraft #WalkerKesslerVideo breakdown of 2022 draft prospect and Auburn Tigers P Walker KesslerMake sure you follow us on Twitter @TheBoxAndOne_And sub. It's from a rap song by Al Kapone, created for the 2005 movie "Hustle . He grabbed a lot of boards just from his reach in college, but I dont think hell be an elite rebounder in the NBA. 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. Exceeds expectations if: Jump shot develops and his length + recovery ability as a shot blocker translates up to the NBA. Projection . Kessler finished with nine points (4-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, five blocks and one steal across 27 . Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. Ultimately, I think he has the potential to be a game-changing defender in the NBA, although if it does happen it will not happen in the first couple years. Orlando Magic win draft lottery, get No. 22 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft. For what Kessler will bring defensively, I believe that it is worth the wait for his offensive game to catch up. Homepage Mock Drafts. At the 2019 NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, King led all scorers with 19 points per game. Walker Kessler is a great fit for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 NBA Draft. 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. NBA Rookie of the Year rankings: Jazz's Kessler leaving his mark. This was also the strength of Kessler at Auburn, he set an NCAA record last season in block rate. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Walker Kessler is the best rim protector in the entire draft, and one of the best prospects as a shot . For an example of what subscribers get, check out the sample subscriber team page. I do not like the fit of Walker Kessler in Dallas simply due to his immobility, and my overall lack of confidence in Kesslers game translating to the next level. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). Kessler is emerging as a big time center prospect who contributes on both ends of the floor. Theres enough of a foundation with Kesslers outside shot and ball-handling ability to create some upside, although neither can be considered plus points. The NBA is a different game based more on skill and angles, not as much size. The biggest issue that most have with Kessler is his lack of offensive ability at this stage of his career. USA TODAY - Jeff Risdon . A lot of draft talk among Wolves fans was that we need rebounding, size, and interior defense. QB prospect makes big jump into top 10 as scouting combine beckons. 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. Developing his shot would be the cherry on top.. He should be able to impact an NBA team on the defensive end right away and has game-changing potential on that end as I mentioned earlier. Strengths: Has excellent size for the position at 7'1", 245 pounds. Cookie Notice . with 7-footer Walker Kessler's 4.6 blocks per game leading the nation among Power 5 schools.) Welcome to Hoop-Math. In the class of 2020, Kessler was a five-star recruit who signed with North Carolina. If you like my channel please subscribe if you haven't . 647. Although he does have some concerns about strength and offensive game, hes not coming to an NBA team to be that guy. mid first to mid second round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft or 2023 NBA Draft, 5-Star Corner: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Interview, A Closer Look At Bronny James as a NBA Draft Prospect, Talented Sons of Famous NBA Fathers Part 2, The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball Class of 2026 Recruits, Re-Draft of the 2022 NBA Draft, Top 20 2 Months Into The Season, My Guys Prospects Im Irrationally High On In The 2023 Draft, 2023 NBA Draft Big Board Early Season Edition, Upperclassmen Moving Up The Draft Board The Desmond Bane Effect, The Elite 25 The Top NBA Prospects In High School Basketball Fall 2022, 2026 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings (2025 recruiting class), Victor Wembanyamas Physical Profile and NBA Comparisons. Alec Kessler Uncle. Player: Walker Kessler. But he doesnt stay disciplined. Strengths: Walker is a skilled long big bodied post player. 1 hour ago. 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. Salary: $2,696,400. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Below are some of his strengths and weaknesses: Obviously this is the main skill with Kessler. Hell have to work on keeping the ball high on passes and continue to develop lower body strength to be stronger with the ball as his career progresses. Kessler's uncle, the late Alec Kessler, also played for Georgia before being drafted in the ninth round by Houston in the 1990 draft. pic.twitter.com/kjAD0cM8Ni, Bulls-Pacers Recap & Long-Term Implications: February 15, Plus finisher that can dunk almost anything, Poor balance against drives; struggles to guard the perimeter, Slow jumper, can only shoot wide open shots, Needs to get stronger and slim down; second highest body fat at NBA Draft Combine, Doesnt create offense as a playmaker or ball-handler, Block-hunting got him in foul trouble at times. Hes fairly nimble for his size and will be a good screener once he puts on strength. We have the brackets, dates, time, matchups, TV channels, live streaming outlets and more for the 2023 Southland Conference Tournament here. This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. Best Case Scenario: Works his way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense. Simply wasn't the same player at North Carolina. AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn center Walker Kessler, who was chosen the nation's top defensive player, plans to enter the NBA Draft. For the Tigers, he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. Similar to Vando, hell likely get his points through being at the right place at the right time, in the short corner/dunker spot. Kessler is coming off of a college season that earned him the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors by averaging 4.6 blocks per game. Tipico Sportsbook gets exact with Kessler's draft position. HometownFairburn, GA Class2020. Metric after metric indicates just how dominant Kessler was at the college level based on his size on both ends. He finished the season with 155 blocks, tops in the nation, and tied for the national lead with 4.6 blocks per game. . As a reserve, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He also collected first-team and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the SEC. In the playoffs, when gameplans and rotation changes can go after a players flaws possession after possession, Kessler stands out as a big man whose role may not provide much value over another big man with increased versatility, athleticism, offensive impact or discipline. Big men who protect the rim have clear value in their translation to the NBA. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Walker Kessler was picked 22nd in the 2022 NBA draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves. As far as skill goes, Kessler is behind many other bigs in the category. 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. Learn about Walker Kessler and other recruit player profiles on RecruitingNation.com. Jazz's Walker Kessler: Game-high 12 boards, five blocks. The 2022 NBA Draft order has been set and the list of eligible players is officially locked in. Overall, Walker Kessler must become a good shooter and have his finishing translate, while being a good shot blocker that doesnt get exposed on the perimeter to translate up to the NBA. 1 pick in 2023 NFL draft. Odds and lines subject to change. SCOUTING REPORT. 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). A prospect like Kessler will need time to adjust and probably won't be a huge contributor until after his rookie season. Spin . Privacy Policy. 17 Tennessee As the season has progressed, so too has Auburn's Walker Kessler. On our 17th installment of #ScoutingSundays for the 2022 NBA Draft, we break down potential lottery pick Walker Kessler's season with Auburn as well as his N. The concerns with Kessler are not on the defensive end, however. How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? 3 Auburn into No. He is particularly good finishing as a roll man in the pick-and-roll, where he made an incredible 94 percent of his shots rolling to the basket, ranking in the 99th percentile. Wilson later denied the report: "I never wanted them fired." a day ago. Walker Kessler's 2023 draft profile. Stay tuned to see what the team will do in the NBA Draft. Scouting Report Evaluated 06/29/2018. Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report. Thats the best in college basketball for anyone who took at least 15 attempts there. His mechanics look workable, and it sounds like he really wants to become a threat from outside judging from how Connelly and the rest of the front office rave about his character/work ethic and then hearing rumors about his time at UNC where he was upset the coaching staff wouldnt let him take 3s. Walker's brother, Houston, also played for Georgia from 2013-17. 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. If he can get 6-10 PPG just from PNRs, FTs, OREBs, and dump offs, thats more than enough. 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. Listed at 6'10" and 225 pounds, Kessler fits squarely into the mold of a modern-day big man who is capable of scoring away from the basket. Out of the league after his rookie deal. From November, when he averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.2 bloc He's a limited athlete and scorer, but signs of shooting confidence suggest he's capable of eventually adding a three-ball to . His lack of ability in the post and as an outside shooter are valid concerns, but those kinds of things can be developed with NBA coaches and veteran players to help guide him along the way. Good footwork and post skills. Akron. Player Profile Report. The NBA trade deadline and LeBron James overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in scoring could happen in the same week. The 7'1" 5 star center came into college in a tough way. That may cause spacing issues if hes used in lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the early stages of his career. #2022NBADraft #WalkerKesslerVideo breakdown of 2022 draft prospect and Auburn Tigers P Walker KesslerMake sure you follow us on Twitter @TheBoxAndOne_And subscribe to us on Substack! Offensively, Kessler is an efficient finisher near the rim who converted on 30 of 32 pick-and-roll attempts diving to the hoop, according to Synergy Sports Tech. 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. 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. Walker Kessler NBA Draft news, analysis, videos, stats and team projection from BasketballNews.com . Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report. Maybe even the weather. His lack of speed, especially against guards, throws him off balance. He barely registered at North Carolina his freshman season but broke out last year at Auburn, averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game during the regular season. 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. Happy Saturday and welcome to another edition of Cap'n Kielar's Best Bets. 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. Walker Ross Kessler (born July 26, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports, Mar 18, 2022; Greenville, SC, USA: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. NBA Draft content related to the Dallas Mavericks. Eligibility restrictions apply. He averages an incredible 4.6 blocks per game and 10 blocks per 100 possessions, and his block ratethis past season was the highest for any college basketball player in the past 14 seasons. 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. Hes not jumping high to block shots or catch lobs which can be frustrating at times because he misses some easy shots around the rim. We break down Auburn C Walker Kessler with a scouting report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Kessler is emerging as a big time center prospect who contributes on both ends of the floor. Unlike Anthony Davis, Kessler struggles as an explosive athlete. With more than 8.6 million residents, the city product per capita in Ho Chi Minh City reached nearly 5000 USD/person. He finished the season with 155 blocks, tops in the nation, and tied for the national lead with 4.6 blocks per game. AUBURN Walker Kessler will credit his teammates, the scouting report or his height for his stat lines. Hes not going to pick up players outside of the paint area well as hes not an explosive athlete, so that limits a bit of his versatility on defense. Not super skilled as a playmaker/ball handler but definitely interesting to watch.