Best Case Scenario: Works his way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense. He tries to block. Beyond that, Kessler is limited: he doesnt pass or see the floor well, and he struggles to score out of the post in a translatable way (punishing mismatches, quick hooks, etc). Exceeds expectations if: Jump shot develops and his length + recovery ability as a shot blocker translates up to the NBA. Walker Kessler: 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report. Scan this QR code to download the app now. 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. Projection . The biggest questions for evaluating Kesslers defensive trajectory is how much that can carry over to an NBA floor. Expected role: Shot blocker that lives at the rim on both ends and is always contesting shots. HometownFairburn, GA Class2020. Kessler is also a strong rebounder and isnt afraid to mix things up in the middle. Walker Kessler. Kessler has been compared by some to Brook Lopez, given his ability to protect the paint and work inside on offense. Can run the floor. February 25, 2023, 10:43 a.m. Fearless Forecast vs San Antonio Spurs: . 22 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft. Kesslers defensive upside begins with his shot-blocking ability, which extends to some jump shots. Kessler is a power finisher who converts down low with a lot of dunks or lobs, and he should be very good as a roller in the NBA. 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). BY Brian Fritz. He has a big impact on the defensive end thanks to his great size and good defensive instincts. Contact us here: hoopshype@hoopshype.com, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. That's the best in college basketball for anyone who took at least 15 attempts there. It's from a rap song by Al Kapone, created for the 2005 movie "Hustle . Jabari Smith Jr. scouting report: Strengths . Walker Kessler leads No. Hes not going to be an offensive player in the NBA. We have the brackets, dates, time, matchups, TV channels, live streaming outlets and more for the 2023 Southland Conference Tournament here. Field Goals. during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. 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. This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. Rankings. Are you sure you want to report Kessler's team for inappropriate content? The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Auburn lands a big time center prospect who left UNC after his freshman season. Additionally, Kessler struggles to guard the perimeter consistently. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and one of college basketball's most prolific shot blockers in its history, Walker Kessler had a dynamic breakout year following his transfer from North Carolina to Auburn. Among them for me is Walker Kessler. How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? Due to limited playing time, he transferred to Auburn. Player: Walker Kessler Position: C Height: 7'0" Pro Comparison: Brook Lopez Scouting Report: Walker just put together arguably . He tends to pick up his dribble early instead of continuing to backdown for a better position. Fairburn, GA - 2020. 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. 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. A player with a high assist rate is likely to produce a . 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). Explore all the NBA statistics of Walker Kessler. Odds and lines subject to change. If I had to toss out a peak stat line, it would probably look like 10-12 PPG/6-8 RPG/2-3 APG/2-2.5 BPG. Shows flashes of face up game and being able to put the ball on the floor. 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. His lack of strength hinders his ability to score and guard in the post as well. Walker Kessler's 2023 draft profile. Update Kessler will head to the Timberwolves, who traded for the No. . He also is great at locating and making outlet passes once he grabs a rebound. He averaged around 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG. We didn't fare too well for the first time this year on Tuesday, going 2-3. Do you find this scouting report inaccurate/outdated? Report: Bears 'leaning toward' trading the No. Walker Kessler out of Auburn is someone who they might be interested in turning into the next Brook Lopez. Here is an analysis of his strengths and weaknesses and whether or not I believe he can fill that role. 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. Below are some of his strengths and weaknesses: Obviously this is the main skill with Kessler. Tipico Sportsbook gets exact with Kessler's draft position. Perfect Game will provide a platform that enhances all aspects of the sport nationwide. News: 2 days ago Kessler finished with nine points (4-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, five blocks and one steal across 27 minutes during Saturday's 118-102 win over the Spurs.. College Recruiting. and our Walker Kessler now has 83 blocks this season as a rookie with the Toronto Raptors ' Christian Koloko coming in second with 45. 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? Heres how he projects at the next level. That may cause spacing issues if hes used in lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the early stages of his career. 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. 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. 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. The concerns with Kessler are not on the defensive end, however. Menu. Developing his shot would be the cherry on top.. 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 . 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. If you like my channel please subscribe if you haven't . Mar 11, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports, Mar 18, 2022; Greenville, SC, USA: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports. Please, How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? Im not expecting him to be a double-digit boards guy for his career. Similar to Vando, hell likely get his points through being at the right place at the right time, in the short corner/dunker spot. But he doesnt stay disciplined. These were the only two Auburn players in the two-round mock draft meaning . 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 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. Homepage Mock Drafts. 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. Metric after metric indicates just how dominant Kessler was at the college level based on his size on both ends. He also collected first-team and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the SEC. He boxes out well, competes hard on the glass, and uses his length to grab a ton of boards. 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. 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. 3PT . . With his leaping ability and size, Kessler is able to clean up around the rim nicely on offense. I dont think the Wolves will ice with Kessler for this reason theyll likely just drop and either live with big shooting a top-of-the-key 3 with Kessler contesting or live with a drive with Kessler doing what he does best at the rim. UFC 285 Main Card Picks on DraftKings Sportsbook. Theres enough of a foundation with Kesslers outside shot and ball-handling ability to create some upside, although neither can be considered plus points. If he becomes consistent at this hell draw a lot of attention and open up the secondary break offense that Finch would love to build from. The most obvious number that jumps out is the blocks, and Kessler is going to wreak havoc in the interior at the next level. Get the latest news and updates on Walker Kessler from The Athletic. He may be block-hungry but in the NBA he will have to get better in this area if he wants to stay out of foul trouble and play significant minutes. A player with a high assist rate is likely to produce a lot of . Excellent positional size at 7'1". Many of the strengths of Kessler get neutralized by NBA tempo, which could be quick to play him out of the league. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/leaders/blk-pct-player-season.html, https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/2022-leaders.html. 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. 3 POSITION: 3 REGIONAL: 1 STATE: 14th. 1 hour ago. Hes got a nice touch around the rim and from mid range and should continue to expand his range over the next few years. Articles. 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. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The Grizzlies and their fans, and team management, have adopted "Whoop that trick" as their rally cry. the Los Angeles Clippers deployed against Rudy Gobert. He does a tremendous job of getting open in screening action as the roller on pick-and-roll plays. Read full article. 17 Tennessee As the season has progressed, so too has Auburn's Walker Kessler. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. He also collected first-team and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the SEC. For any kind of hedging, switches, etc. 15 Greatest Draft Picks in Franchise History. Walker Kessler was picked 22nd in the 2022 NBA draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Free Throws. Walker Kessler Scouting Report 2022 NBA Draft youtu.be/6yo61fSL_mg via @YouTube. Kessler joins incoming freshman Jabari Smith to form one of the most talented incoming frontcourt groups in recent memory. Office . 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. Strengths: Has excellent size for the position at 7'1", 245 pounds. 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. The 7-foot-1 sophomore finished with 12 points (10 . . 647. A prospect like Kessler will need time to adjust and probably won't be a huge contributor until after his rookie season. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OwHdCZf1ux4W89uR8A6Z8KgkShYyl1LkZheQi4heO1A/edit?usp=sharingMusic credits:Mi-Lo by Smith The Mister https://smiththemister.bandcamp.comSmith The Mister https://bit.ly/Smith-The-Mister-YTFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/mi-loMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/--4tHbTT97g 9th: "He led the SEC in blocks and ranked second among all Division I players. Unplayable if: Lack of mobility gets exposed on defense, and shooting never develops. with 7-footer Walker Kessler's 4.6 blocks per game leading the nation among Power 5 schools.) The NBA is quick and relentless in exposing bad defensive traits, such as lateral quickness and defensive discipline, which will burn Kessler. The 7-foot-1 North Carolina transfer announced his decision . Defensive discipline is lacking for Kessler with many of his fouls, especially on the perimeter. Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report. Kessler's length, mobility, and rim protection give him a unique skill set, allowing him to provide great impact on an NBA floor. Fantastic size and length help him make his huge defensive impact . #2022NBADraft #WalkerKesslerVideo breakdown of 2022 draft prospect and Auburn Tigers P Walker KesslerMake sure you follow us on Twitter @TheBoxAndOne_And sub. Moreover, the NCAA Tournament exposed some issues with projecting his movement in space at the next level. Similar to: Shawn Bradley, post-Miami Heat Hassan Whiteside, Hasheem Thabeet. 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. 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. Here goes. Orlando Magic win draft lottery, get No. Obviously hes a big target so teammates cant miss him. 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. Explore all of Walker Kessler's NBA stats. 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