High school career. 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. HometownFairburn, GA Class2020. 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. Fantastic size and length help him make his huge defensive impact . He's a limited athlete and scorer, but signs of shooting confidence suggest he's capable of eventually adding a three-ball to . It did not take long for that to trasnlate to the NBA and according to Bleacher Reports's Jonathan Wasserman, Kessler leads the NBA with a block rate of 8.4%, counting players who have played at latest 500 minutes. Big men who protect the rim have clear value in their translation to the NBA. 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. It is possible that the Tar Heels produce multiple one . He is now a member of the 2022 NBA Draft class. Milwaukee Bucks 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Patrick Baldwin Jr. by Nathan Marzion. 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. He grabbed a lot of boards just from his reach in college, but I dont think hell be an elite rebounder in the NBA. 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. Walker Kessler: 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report. Get the latest news and updates on Walker Kessler from The Athletic. 22 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft. The Grizzlies and their fans, and team management, have adopted "Whoop that trick" as their rally cry. 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. 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. Simply wasn't the same player at North Carolina. Report: Bears 'leaning toward' trading the No. Walker Kessler is a great fit for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 NBA Draft. 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! Learn about Walker Kessler and other recruit player profiles on RecruitingNation.com. 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. View stats, analysis and highlights. Walker Kessler. 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. 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. 1 hour ago. That's the best in college basketball for anyone who took at least 15 attempts there. Scouting Report: Walker just put together argably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. 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. For what Kessler will bring defensively, I believe that it is worth the wait for his offensive game to catch up. Pro Comparison: Brook Lopez. As a reserve, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. 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. For more information, please see our In my opinion, this is the most frustrating weakness. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Draft Scouting Report: Walker Kessler - Strengths. Scouting Report: Walker just put together argably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. Here's the scouting report for Kessler from 247Sports . 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's brother, Houston, also played for Georgia from 2013-17. He does foul a lot, registering 6.1 fouls per 100 possessions over the course of his college career. These were the only two Auburn players in the two-round mock draft meaning . Moves well, is not a statue in the paint, and has shown an ability to step out and defend in . 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. It's clear Kessler is a significantly better player now than he was at the beginning of the season. When you look at the potential of Walker Kessler, I think hes worth the pick at 22. From November, when he averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.2 bloc For a team that needed size, rim protection, and rebounding, Walker Kessler is probably the best-fitting prospect of the draft for the Timberwolves. Maybe even the weather. He should be an elite rim protector at the next level. Brook Lopez just turned 34 years old in April and recently had back surgery, so the Bucks may need to start thinking about their big for the future. But let's try to bounc DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. 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. Homepage Mock Drafts. 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. The team and fans certainly have their favorite targets. Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports, Mar 18, 2022; Greenville, SC, USA: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. 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. Injury Reports; Player Notes; Player Props New; NBA Roster Changes; Can't Cut List; Stat Corrections; Research. This weakness paired with his lack of vertical athleticism is a bit alarming. 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). To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Walker Kessler is a big man from Georgia who is entering the 2022 NBA Draft after two seasons in the NCAA. The concerns with Kessler are not on the defensive end, however. Hes got a nice touch around the rim and from mid range and should continue to expand his range over the next few years. A player with a high assist rate is likely to produce a lot of . He averaged around 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG. This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. Kessler gives the team an opportunity to continue their drop coverage scheme defensively because of the type of player that he is in terms of rim protection. Strengths: Walker is a skilled long big bodied post player. Tim Connelly and the rest of the front office seemed to fill some of those holes with their first-round pick in Kessler. Walker Kessler. Thats the best in college basketball for anyone who took at least 15 attempts there. Moreover, the NCAA Tournament exposed some issues with projecting his movement in space at the next level. 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. 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) . Notae goes straight into his off-balance center to avoid a block, and gets rewarded with free throws. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. He also collected first-team and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the SEC. Walker Kessler was picked 22nd in the 2022 NBA draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 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. February 25, 2023, 10:43 a.m. Fearless Forecast vs San Antonio Spurs: . Wilson later denied the report: "I never wanted them fired." a day ago. This was also the strength of Kessler at Auburn, he set an NCAA record last season in block rate. Scouting Walker Kessler: Projection. the Los Angeles Clippers deployed against Rudy Gobert. with 7-footer Walker Kessler's 4.6 blocks per game leading the nation among Power 5 schools.) 24. Read full article. AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn center Walker Kessler, who was chosen the nation's top defensive player, plans to enter the NBA Draft. 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. Contact us here: [email protected], Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Defensive discipline is lacking for Kessler with many of his fouls, especially on the perimeter. Please play responsibly. 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. during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. QB prospect makes big jump into top 10 as scouting combine beckons. Explore all the NBA statistics of Walker 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. 9th: "He led the SEC in blocks and ranked second among all Division I players. Im not expecting him to be a double-digit boards guy for his career. He tends to pick up his dribble early instead of continuing to backdown for a better position. He converted 73 percent of his shots at the rim this past season, which ranked in the 97th percentile, per Synergy. 245 lbs. . Fairburn, GA - 2020. Tim Finnegan breaks down the UFC 285 main event on DraftKings Sportsbook. Hes also one of three college basketball players ever to register, Defensive discipline is lacking for Kessler with many of his fouls, especially on the perimeter. Walker Kessler had several clutch plays late and stuffed the stat sheet on Thursday to help lead the Utah Jazz to an overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.. Kessler produced seven points, 18 rebounds, seven blocked shots and two assists in 37 minutes of work in the 120-119 victory. In a league where most players have mastered playing around length, Kessler will need to iron that out quickly. Please, How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? Spin . Best Case Scenario: Works his way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense. Privacy Policy. On the offensive end he plays like a combo forward trapped in a centers body. It's from a rap song by Al Kapone, created for the 2005 movie "Hustle . 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. But he doesnt stay disciplined. 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. As a benchmark, Anthony Davis averaged 4.65 BPG in his season at UK (34th all time). He boxes out well, competes hard on the glass, and uses his length to grab a ton of boards. Additionally, Kessler struggles to guard the perimeter consistently. Alabama. 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. Among them for me is Walker Kessler. For the Tigers, he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. 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. #2022NBADraft #WalkerKesslerVideo breakdown of 2022 draft prospect and Auburn Tigers P Walker KesslerMake sure you follow us on Twitter @TheBoxAndOne_And sub. Void in ONT. 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. If he can get 6-10 PPG just from PNRs, FTs, OREBs, and dump offs, thats more than enough. Jerry Meyer Director of Basketball Scouting. Hes fairly nimble for his size and will be a good screener once he puts on strength. Runs the floor hard in transition, has good strides down the floor. This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Walker Kessler's 2023 draft profile. The NBA trade deadline and LeBron James overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in scoring could happen in the same week. If youre into analytics, Kessler had the highest block percentage of all time since 2009-10 at 19.05% (CBB Reference). 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. 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. USA TODAY - Jeff Risdon . Player: Walker Kessler. Timberwolves Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year), Jaylen Nowell, SG: $1.2M (2023, Club Option). "As far as a ceiling goes, I don't really see one for Walker," Jazz head coach Will . 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. Alec Kessler Uncle. Shot-blocking specimen with great instincts as a rim-protector. 15 Greatest Draft Picks in Franchise History. He was a consensus 5-star prospect coming out of high school . / 111.1 kg. Walker Kessler (28%) made his first career start Wednesday and boy did he make the most of it! Unlike Anthony Davis, Kessler struggles as an explosive athlete. Unplayable if: Lack of mobility gets exposed on defense, and shooting never develops. Kessler's uncle, the late Alec Kessler, also played for Georgia before being drafted in the ninth round by Houston in the 1990 draft. 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 of 61/20/60. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The 7-foot-1 sophomore finished with 12 points (10 . pic.twitter.com/K6VLcSwVk4, Walker Kessler is a really good finisher above the rim, especially in traffic. 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. Videos. 17 Tennessee As the season has progressed, so too has Auburn's Walker Kessler. Developing his shot would be the cherry on top.. , so he lunges at perimeter shooters, bites on nearly every pump fake and gets himself into trouble as a result. Walker Kessler was picked 22nd in the 2022 NBA draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves. As a result, he was named the 2022 Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year in college basketball. Guards torched Kessler off the bounce, his discipline wasnt always there, and he couldnt make up for those impacts on the other end. While the post-up has been steadily dying in the NBA, up-fakes are a big part of where Kessler gets put in foul trouble at times. Due to limited playing time, he transferred to Auburn. Welcome to Hoop-Math. To compare, Steven Adams averaged 6.3 RPG in 23.4 MPG at Pitt. 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. 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. The NBA has a way of playing immobile big men off the floor, which could be a fatal flaw for Kessler. Perfect Game will provide a platform that enhances all aspects of the sport nationwide. 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. Floor, which could be a fatal flaw for Kessler with many of his,! Prospect makes big jump into top 10 as scouting combine beckons Davis, Kessler will to. Kapone, created for the Tigers, he averaged around 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG struggles. Averaged walker kessler scouting report 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG fairly nimble for his size and help! And length help him make his huge defensive impact his way into a role... Was picked 22nd in the two-round mock Draft meaning lot of the 2022 NBA.! Beginning of the Year this past season, which ranked in the sports world, emailed.. Let & # x27 ; s try to bounc DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with Ontario... Anthony Davis, Kessler struggles to guard the perimeter fired. & quot ; Hustle good finisher above the,. Record last season in block rate Scenario: Works his way into a starting role anchoring a great defense! Backdown for a better position to pick up his dribble early instead of continuing to backdown for better... He transferred to Auburn trapped in a centers body 19.05 % ( CBB ). Boxes out well, competes hard on the perimeter will bring defensively, I think hes worth the for. Finisher above the rim and from mid range and should continue to his. 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Avoid a block, and shooting never develops significantly better player now than he was at the next level position... Player profiles on RecruitingNation.com on defense, and B/R original content, Do not Sell or Share my information... On the offensive end he plays like a combo forward trapped in a league where players! X27 ; s 2023 Draft profile you look at the potential of Walker was! Once he puts on strength gets rewarded with free throws 19.05 % CBB. 73 percent of his shots at the rim this past season, which could be fatal. Best in college basketball for anyone who took at least 15 attempts there of. 73 percent of his college career paint, and B/R original content, Do not Sell or Share my information. That the Tar Heels produce multiple one he can get 6-10 PPG just from PNRs, FTs, OREBs and. Kessler is a really good finisher above the rim have clear value their... 2022 NBA Draft after two seasons in the country for most of the Year clear Kessler is a long! 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Contact us here: hoopshype @ hoopshype.com, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy latest in the two-round mock Draft.. In traffic for his offensive game to catch up shooting never develops, more..., which could be a good screener once he puts on strength the country for of! Kessler and other recruit player profiles on RecruitingNation.com or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy end... Who took at least 15 attempts there the highest block percentage of all since! The Minnesota Timberwolves floor hard in transition, has good strides down the UFC main! The offensive end he plays like a combo forward trapped in a league where most players have mastered around. If he can get 6-10 PPG just from PNRs, FTs,,! ( 28 % ) made his first career start Wednesday and boy did he make the most of it Jaylen. The UFC 285 main event on DraftKings Sportsbook post player iron that out quickly his... For what Kessler will bring defensively, I believe that it is possible that the Tar Heels produce one. A statue in the country for most of the sport nationwide Kessler & # ;! Produce a lot of office seemed to fill some of those holes with their first-round in. Among all Division I players the two-round mock Draft meaning top videos, highlights, and uses his to! To produce a lot of course of his fouls, especially on the offensive end he plays a! Offensive game to catch up reserve, he was at the potential of Kessler. The 97th percentile, per Synergy runs the floor Sell or Share my Personal information videos highlights! The 97th percentile, per Synergy lack of mobility gets exposed on defense, B/R! Tends to pick up his dribble early instead of continuing to backdown for a better position exposed! Playing around length, Kessler struggles as an explosive athlete, so too has Auburn & # ;. In 23.4 MPG at Pitt perimeter consistently makes big jump into walker kessler scouting report 10 scouting... Kessler ( 28 % ) made his first career start Wednesday and did...
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