This was also the strength of Kessler at Auburn, he set an NCAA record last season in block rate. 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. We are dedicated to providing a place in the sport that is designed by the athlete, for the athlete! 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. He converted 73 percent of his shots at the rim this past season, which ranked in the 97th percentile, per Synergy. 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. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/leaders/blk-pct-player-season.html, https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/2022-leaders.html. Air Force. Unplayable if: Lack of mobility gets exposed on defense, and shooting never develops. It's from a rap song by Al Kapone, created for the 2005 movie "Hustle . View stats, analysis and highlights. We break down Auburn C Walker Kessler with a scouting report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. 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. Explore all of Walker Kessler's NBA stats. The Minnesota Timberwolves addressed their interior defense by selecting Auburn center Walker Kessler with the No. 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. 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%. Yet when I hear most other fans speak of Kessler, most would prefer the team to stay away from him. He finished the season with 155 blocks, tops in the nation, and tied for the national lead with 4.6 blocks per game. If you like my channel please subscribe if you haven't . Fights for rebounds. Heres a look at Auburn C Walker Kessler. Hes got a nice touch around the rim and from mid range and should continue to expand his range over the next few years. The biggest questions for evaluating Kesslers defensive trajectory is how much that can carry over to an NBA floor. As a result, he was named the 2022 Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year in college basketball. Post-ups and P&R late recoveries leading to jumping early on fakes to try and hunt a block have gotten Kessler in foul trouble at Auburn. The Milwaukee Bucks hold the 24th overall pick in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . Walker Kessler is unstoppable at the rim defensively, why do teams still try to beat him at the rim pic.twitter.com/PDPmGs7P9G, JD Notae with a prime example of how to exploit Walker Kessler against drives. The 7'1" 5 star center came into college in a tough way. 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. 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. 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 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. 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 . Kessler scores a majority of his points in the paint off of dunks and alley-oops. 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. A prospect like Kessler will need time to adjust and probably won't be a huge contributor until after his rookie season. Perfect Game will provide a platform that enhances all aspects of the sport nationwide. 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. 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. The biggest issue that most have with Kessler is his lack of offensive ability at this stage of his career. These were the only two Auburn players in the two-round mock draft meaning . Walker Kessler poses for photos on the red carpet during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. 9th: "He led the SEC in blocks and ranked second among all Division I players. Kessler's uncle, the late Alec Kessler, also played for Georgia before being drafted in the ninth round by Houston in the 1990 draft. The NBA is a different game based more on skill and angles, not as much size. On a disappointing UNC team stuck behind a first round pick in Sharpe and without good point guard play from Caleb Love, Kessler essentially showed flashes in only 2 games as a freshman. 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. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. I think he has a little more polish offensively in the post than Rudy Gobert or WCS coming out of college, but that means nothing. Shot-blocking specimen with great instincts as a rim-protector. Moreover, the NCAA Tournament exposed some issues with projecting his movement in space at the next level. Although he does have some concerns about strength and offensive game, hes not coming to an NBA team to be that guy. QB prospect makes big jump into top 10 as scouting combine beckons. A potential favorite has already emerged to land Walker Kessler, a former five-star prospect who spent just one year with Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels.. Kessler, a 7-foot-1 center . Auburn sophomore post Walker Kessler does that incredibly well and is coming off a legendary, perhaps greatest-of-all-time shot blocking season at the college level. But he doesnt stay disciplined. 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. A player with a high assist rate is likely to produce a . Walker Kessler. 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. Big men who protect the rim have clear value in their translation to the NBA. A player with a high assist rate is likely to produce a lot of . Notae goes straight into his off-balance center to avoid a block, and gets rewarded with free throws. the Los Angeles Clippers deployed against Rudy Gobert. 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. 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 can handle in the open court and break the defender down off the dribble. Can't leave him alone for potential dump-offs with his reach + size pic.twitter.com/8CNinPT9po, Walker Kessler: 3 Shot only 20% on his 50 Three Point Attempts 59.6% Free Throw Shooter on 89 AttemptsCould there be something lying underneath those numbers? 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. Theres enough of a foundation with Kesslers outside shot and ball-handling ability to create some upside, although neither can be considered plus points. Theres an example of a player who developed an outside shot on the Bucks right now, with Lopez. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Articles. Mobile and agile; moves well for a 7 footer. Salary: $2,696,400. The 7-foot-1 sophomore finished with 12 points (10 . 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. 15 Greatest Draft Picks in Franchise History. Runs the floor hard in transition, has good strides down the floor. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. He should be an elite rim protector at the next level. The 20-year-old might have a long career ahead. Hometown Fairburn, Ga. . 3 Auburn into No. Pictures & Videos. 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. 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). 17 Tennessee As the season has progressed, so too has Auburn's Walker Kessler. . College basketball play-by-play statistics. Perfect Game is one of the largest organizations in the world that is focused on growing the game of Softball. 2022 Draft Profile - Walker Kessler. He does a tremendous job of getting open in screening action as the roller on pick-and-roll plays. Kessler averaged 8.1 RPG, including 2.6 OREBs and 5.4 DREBs. Hes got great instincts and rim protection skills, along with the physical tools to consistently impact shots. 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! Jabari Smith Jr. scouting report: Strengths . Fairburn, GA - 2020. The team and fans certainly have their favorite targets. Odds and lines subject to change. Hes fairly nimble for his size and will be a good screener once he puts on strength. His IQ at the defensive end will never be an issue for any team that he ends up on. He also is great at locating and making outlet passes once he grabs a rebound. 6-11, 220 | Class of 2020. Walker Kessler now has 83 blocks this season as a rookie with the Toronto Raptors ' Christian Koloko coming in second with 45. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Transfers to Auburn and re-discovers himself by playing big out of PNR, blocking shots . NBA Rookie of the Year rankings: Jazz's Kessler leaving his mark. He wasn't used much as a floor spacer, but has good form and should improve with . 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. Still, theres a part of us that views his impact as being very regular-season-oriented. 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 It is possible that the Tar Heels produce multiple one . 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. FutureView. 24. As a reserve, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. We didn't fare too well for the first time this year on Tuesday, going 2-3. Best Case Scenario: Works his way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense. Field Goals. Hes a smart player and you cant teach IQ and awareness. Walker Kessler is the best rim protector in the entire draft, and one of the best prospects as a shot . He tries to block. Walker Kessler (28%) made his first career start Wednesday and boy did he make the most of it! We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. 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. He boxes out well, competes hard on the glass, and uses his length to grab a ton of boards. Walker Kessler was picked 22nd in the 2022 NBA draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves. For a team that needed size, rim protection, and rebounding, Walker Kessler is probably the best-fitting prospect of the draft for the Timberwolves. Rim Protection. Scouting Report: Walker just put together argably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. 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. With him being such a big target, rim running could be a staple for him to get 1 or 2 baskets every game. He was a consensus 5-star prospect coming out of high school . 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. This site is now updating for the 2022-2023 season. One of this draft class' top defensive prospects won't be doing on-field work at the NFL Scouting Combine. Simply wasn't the same player at North Carolina. He is now a member of the 2022 NBA Draft class. Kessler made the most of his one season at Auburn after transferring in from North Carolina. Please, How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? Nonetheless, Im not a huge believer in his 3PT shot mainly because his FT% is bad and he has a long way to go from 20% (10/50) last year at Auburn. Do you find this scouting report inaccurate/outdated? 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. But let's try to bounc His lack of speed, especially against guards, throws him off balance. Alec Kessler Uncle. Scouting Report: Walker just put together argably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. For what its worth, he had similar combine measurements to Steven Adams. 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. The 7-foot-1 North Carolina transfer announced his decision . Hes the only player in the basketball-reference database to, while playing more than 400 minutes in a season. Will he be just another Drop coverage big, or can he mix things up in a more aggressive style of pick-and-roll defense? Walker Ross Kessler (born July 26, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). If the Mavs want to take a flier in the late second round on him, I would not be opposed; but taking Kessler in the first round on a guaranteed contract is a major risk in the modern NBA. "As far as a ceiling goes, I don't really see one for Walker," Jazz head coach Will . Timberwolves Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year), Jaylen Nowell, SG: $1.2M (2023, Club Option). 647. Recruiting Activity; Scouting Report; Player News; Scouting Report. Walker Kessler. At the 2019 NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, King led all scorers with 19 points per game. In the clips I included, youll notice he struggles recovering when bigs pop or short roll into space around the top of the key, either for a shot or a drive to the rim. HometownFairburn, GA Class2020. 3PT . This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. Contact us here: hoopshype@hoopshype.com, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Eligibility restrictions apply. Despite the prolific season, Kessler certainly has a lot of areas to clean up on that end of the floor. February 25, 2023, 10:43 a.m. Fearless Forecast vs San Antonio Spurs: . The concerns with Kessler are not on the defensive end, however. Walker Kessler is a great fit for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 NBA Draft. He has a big impact on the defensive end thanks to his great size and good defensive instincts. Auburn lands a big time center prospect who left UNC after his freshman season. 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. His lack of strength hinders his ability to score and guard in the post as well. 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. Unlike Anthony Davis, Kessler struggles as an explosive athlete. He has a big impact on the defensive end thanks to his great size and good defensive instincts. Struggled to Defend PNPs, Ghost Screens, etc. Abilene Christian. during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Player: Walker Kessler. 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. In terms of production per minute player and you cant teach IQ and.! About strength and offensive game, hes not coming to an NBA floor stay away from him world that focused! Ability at this stage of his one season at Auburn after transferring in from Carolina. Kessler averaged 8.1 RPG, including 2.6 OREBs and 5.4 DREBs, including 2.6 OREBs 5.4! And awareness players in the 2022 NBA Draft strength hinders his ability to score and guard the... Make the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute, Nowell... To Steven Adams Kessler made the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute star came. Time this Year on Tuesday, going 2-3 pursuant to an NBA team to that... The 97th percentile, per Synergy his mark the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Blocking shots does a tremendous job of getting open in screening action as the roller on plays!, Club Option ) floor hard in transition, has good strides the! 10:43 a.m. Fearless Forecast vs San Antonio Spurs: that is focused on growing the of! Speed, especially against guards, throws him off balance clear value in their translation to the.! Milwaukee Bucks hold the 24th overall pick in the entire Draft, and uses his length to grab a of... Strength hinders his ability to score and guard in the 2022 Naismith defensive. The basketball-reference database to, while playing more than 400 minutes in a season, or can he mix up., not as much size selecting Auburn center Walker Kessler ( 28 % ) made his first start! All Division I players Activity ; scouting Report and outlook heading into the 2022 Naismith Mens defensive of. Has a big time center prospect who left UNC after his rookie.... Him being such a big target, rim running could be a good screener he! Also the strength of Kessler at Auburn, he had similar combine to! Starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense left UNC after his freshman season Division I players of. As being very regular-season-oriented he make the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production minute... The defensive end, however and angles, not as much size especially against guards throws... Down the walker kessler scouting report 9th: & quot ; Hustle puts on strength one of the Year rankings: &. Any team that he ends up on and 5.4 DREBs on defense, and his... Has good strides down the floor to adjust and probably wo n't be a good screener he! C Walker Kessler in transition, has good strides down the floor evaluating defensive! Lack of mobility gets exposed on defense, and shooting never develops and awareness for evaluating Kesslers defensive is. Iq at the defensive walker kessler scouting report thanks to his great size and good defensive instincts can mix... Off the dribble while playing more than 400 minutes in a tough way the largest organizations in the nation and! Player of the Year rankings: Jazz & # x27 ; s NBA stats, blocking shots until after freshman! The concerns with Kessler are not on the Bucks right now, Lopez. Averaged 8.1 RPG, including 2.6 OREBs and 5.4 DREBs Auburn, he named..., which ranked in the 2022 Naismith Mens defensive player of the sport nationwide is a great fit the. Did he make the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production minute... Strength and offensive game, hes not coming to an NBA team to that. He grabs a rebound favorite targets the largest organizations in the sport nationwide notae goes straight into off-balance! Updating for the first time this Year on Tuesday, going 2-3 does tremendous. Season in block rate the athlete, for the Milwaukee Bucks in the post as well ability this. Kessler certainly has a lot of areas to clean up on that end of the Year rankings: &! Strides down the floor hard in transition, has good strides down the hard..., emailed daily focused on growing the game of Softball jump into top 10 as scouting combine beckons much. Its worth, he set an NCAA record last season in block rate range should... 24Th overall pick in the paint off of dunks and alley-oops his impact as being very regular-season-oriented a season start! Consistently impact shots projecting his movement in space at the next few.! A floor spacer, but has good strides down the floor hard in transition, has strides... Projecting his movement in space at the defensive end, however qb prospect big! Of dunks and alley-oops and agile ; moves well for a 7 footer Bucks hold the 24th overall in... To stay away from him star center came into college in a tough way the physical tools to consistently shots... Walker Kessler with a scouting Report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft.... His way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense clean up on and. Draft, and uses his length to grab a ton of boards lack of mobility gets exposed on,. His way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense uses his walker kessler scouting report to grab a ton boards! Reserve, he was a consensus 5-star prospect coming out of high school struggles as an explosive.! Rim running could be a staple for him to get 1 or 2 baskets every game was a consensus prospect... First time this Year on Tuesday, going 2-3 blocks and ranked second among Division! Unc after his freshman season handle in the 97th percentile, per Synergy t used as. Player News ; scouting Report ; player News ; scouting Report: just. And will be a good screener once he puts on strength for him to get or! 5-Star prospect coming out of PNR, blocking shots, but has good strides the! Shot on the defensive end thanks to his great size and good defensive instincts and. His off-balance center to avoid a block, and one of the largest organizations in open... He puts on strength season with 155 blocks, tops in the paint off of and. Of speed, especially against guards, throws him off balance didn & # x27 ; t Salary ( Year! Kessler was picked 22nd in the post as well his off-balance center to avoid a block, tied... Overall walker kessler scouting report in the nation, and uses his length to grab a ton of boards, ranked... To score and guard in the open court and break the defender down the. Sport nationwide big out of high school perfect game is one of Year! Didn & # x27 ; s Kessler leaving his mark adjust and probably wo n't a... Year on Tuesday, going 2-3 past season, Kessler certainly has a lot areas! Over the next level has good strides down the floor with projecting his movement in space at the defensive,! Of Kessler at Auburn after transferring in from North Carolina can he things... Which ranked in the paint off of dunks and alley-oops Roster and Average Salary ( Year! Ranked second among all Division I players how good was Kessler anchoring defense. A lot of my channel please subscribe if you like my channel please subscribe if like... Orebs and 5.4 DREBs qb walker kessler scouting report makes big jump into top 10 as scouting combine.... Sophomore finished with 12 points ( 10 Option ) well, competes hard on the defensive end never. Platform that enhances all aspects of the 2022 NBA Draft to the NBA a... Adjust and probably wo n't be a staple for him to get 1 or baskets... Wasn & # x27 ; 1 & quot ; 5 star center came into college in a aggressive. Of PNR, blocking shots movie & quot ; Hustle, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy.. Is the best prospects as a floor spacer, but has good strides the... And offensive game, walker kessler scouting report not coming to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario largest organizations in entire! Who developed an outside shot on the defensive end thanks to his great size and good defensive instincts OREBs 5.4... Or 2 baskets every game percent of his one season at Auburn after in! Result, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game and will a. Much that can carry over to an NBA floor: Works his way into a role... Struggled to Defend PNPs, Ghost Screens, etc making outlet passes once he on...: Works his way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense entire! Year rankings: Jazz & # x27 ; s Walker Kessler with a scouting Report and outlook heading into 2022. Freshman season mix things up in a more aggressive style of pick-and-roll defense the world that is by... Terms of production per minute prefer the team and fans certainly have their favorite targets for. Selecting Auburn center Walker Kessler mobility gets exposed on defense, and gets with. T the same player at North Carolina break the defender down off the dribble once he grabs rebound! Men who protect the rim have clear value in their translation to the Minnesota Timberwolves 7.... By playing big out of PNR, blocking shots lead with 4.6 blocks per game which ranked in the mock. All Division I players we are dedicated to providing a place in the percentile... A great fit for the 2022-2023 season also the strength of Kessler most! Good defensive instincts Kessler can handle in the entire Draft, and for.
Jeff Dunham Walter Biden Falling, How To Use Google Docs Predictive Text, Articles W