Moreover, the NCAA Tournament exposed some issues with projecting his movement in space at the next level. 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). Verticality is well-taught and drilled into his brain: he jumps straight up and is constantly trying to leap off the floor in that manner. 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). 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. 245 lbs. Standing at 71 with a 95 standing reach, Kessler should be dunking almost every finish around the rim. For the Tigers, he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. For the most part, Kessler doesnt have too many tricks in his bag on the offensive end. Developing his shot would be the cherry on top.. 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? Here's the scouting report for Kessler from 247Sports . 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. A lot of his turnovers were from his lack of vertical athleticism finishing and not being strong with the ball not because of passing turnovers. Scouting Report Evaluated 06/29/2018. / 111.1 kg. Hes the only player in the basketball-reference database to, while playing more than 400 minutes in a season. (All stats provided by Synergy require a subscription). See how he ranks against the rest of the league in shooting, passing, defense, and more. 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. Auburn Tigers lead . Explore all the NBA statistics of Walker Kessler. This was also the strength of Kessler at Auburn, he set an NCAA record last season in block rate. Kessler made the most of his one season at Auburn after transferring in from North Carolina. 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. To compare, Steven Adams averaged 6.3 RPG in 23.4 MPG at Pitt. 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 . 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. Kessler scores a majority of his points in the paint off of dunks and alley-oops. Maybe even the weather. This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. Due to limited playing time, he transferred to Auburn. USA TODAY - Jeff Risdon . If youre into analytics, Kessler had the highest block percentage of all time since 2009-10 at 19.05% (CBB Reference). For an example of what subscribers get, check out the sample subscriber team page. 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. Unplayable if: Lack of mobility gets exposed on defense, and shooting never develops. Contact us here: hoopshype@hoopshype.com, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. This weakness paired with his lack of vertical athleticism is a bit alarming. 15 Greatest Draft Picks in Franchise History. Gambling Problem? On the offensive end he plays like a combo forward trapped in a centers body. Vanderbilt Commodores center Liam Robbins (21) takes a jump shot over Auburn Tigers player Walker Kessler (13) at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. 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. Kessler is emerging as a big time center prospect who contributes on both ends of the floor. View stats, analysis and highlights. . #2022NBADraft #WalkerKesslerVideo breakdown of 2022 draft prospect and Auburn Tigers P Walker KesslerMake sure you follow us on Twitter @TheBoxAndOne_And sub. 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. Eligibility restrictions apply. Guards torched Kessler off the bounce, his discipline wasnt always there, and he couldnt make up for those impacts on the other end. North Carolina has set itself up for success for years to come with this incoming 2020 recruiting class. 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. Read full article. 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. Pictures & Videos. Please play responsibly. The Grizzlies and their fans, and team management, have adopted "Whoop that trick" as their rally cry. Shot-blocking specimen with great instincts as a rim-protector. He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and Auburn Tigers. 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. Happy Saturday and welcome to another edition of Cap'n Kielar's Best Bets. Heres a look at Auburn C Walker Kessler. 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. Big men who protect the rim have clear value in their translation to the NBA. Notae goes straight into his off-balance center to avoid a block, and gets rewarded with free throws. during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. His IQ at the defensive end will never be an issue for any team that he ends up on. Kessler averaged 8.1 RPG, including 2.6 OREBs and 5.4 DREBs. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Last year, he played in the Australia U18 Nationals for Queensland South where he led all scorers averaging almost 27 points per game. Void in ONT. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Good motor and active on the offensive glass. Timberwolves Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year), Jaylen Nowell, SG: $1.2M (2023, Club Option). Kessler made the most of his one season at Auburn after transferring in from North Carolina. SCOUTING REPORT. 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) . Tim Connelly and the rest of the front office seemed to fill some of those holes with their first-round pick in Kessler. 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. 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. Fights for rebounds. He should be an elite rim protector at the next level. He averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in 34 games. He also collected first-team and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the SEC. Kessler's uncle, the late Alec Kessler, also played for Georgia before being drafted in the ninth round by Houston in the 1990 draft. Kessler joins incoming freshman Jabari Smith to form one of the most talented incoming frontcourt groups in recent memory. Thats the best in college basketball for anyone who took at least 15 attempts there. Scouting Report: Walker just put together arguably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. Moves well, is not a statue in the paint, and has shown an ability to step out and defend in . One of this draft class' top defensive prospects won't be doing on-field work at the NFL Scouting Combine. 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. Shows flashes of face up game and being able to put the ball on the floor. Odds and lines subject to change. That may cause spacing issues if hes used in lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the early stages of his career. The most obvious number that jumps out is the blocks, and Kessler is going to wreak havoc in the interior at the next level. Hes a smart player and you cant teach IQ and awareness. Hes fairly nimble for his size and will be a good screener once he puts on strength. It is possible that the Tar Heels produce multiple one . Worst Case Scenario**:** G League/3rd string big man that isnt impactful enough defensively to get minutes in the NBA. Cody Taylor - USA Today - Apr. 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. His lack of speed, especially against guards, throws him off balance. Perfect Game will provide a platform that enhances all aspects of the sport nationwide. 3 Auburn into No. 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. 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. Salary: $2,696,400. and our Hometown Fairburn, Ga. . 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. 1 pick in 2022 NBA Draft. 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. 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 you like my channel please subscribe if you haven't . After the pick, I went straight to work watching film on Kessler to see what the Wolves were getting with him. Has nimble feet for a footer . 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. Get the latest news and updates on Walker Kessler from The Athletic. 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. He tries to block. Air Force. He has great hands . In the class of 2020, Kessler was a five-star recruit who signed with North Carolina. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. DRAFT SCOUTING REPORTS: Chet Holmgren | Paulo Banchero. Kesslers defensive upside begins with his shot-blocking ability, which extends to some jump shots. Rankings. A player with a high assist rate is likely to produce a lot of . 2022 Draft Profile - Walker Kessler. Videos. 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. 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