Walker Kessler

BIOGRAPHY

Walker Kessler was July 26, 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a forward in the NBA. 

Kessler played basketball for Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. In his senior season, he averaged 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game, leading his team to its first Class 4A state title. Kessler was named The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. He was a McDonald's All-American selection. Kessler competed for Game Elite on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit. A consensus five-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2020 class, he committed to playing college basketball for North Carolina.

On March 10, 2021, Kessler posted 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks in a 101–59 win over Notre Dame in the second round of the ACC Tournament. He set a North Carolina freshman record and an ACC Tournament record for blocks in a game. As a freshman, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Following the season, Kessler transferred to Auburn, choosing the Tigers over Gonzaga. On December 29, 2021, he posted a triple-double of 16 points, a career-high 11 blocks and 10 rebounds against LSU. On January 25th, Kessler received SEC Player of the Week honors following strong performances against Georgia and Kentucky. Kessler was regarded one of the nations premier shot blockers, setting the Auburn single season block record, leading the nation in blocks and recording more blocks than all but 13 teams. At the conclusion of the regular season, Kessler was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the All-SEC First Team and a 3rd Team All American.  On April 3, 2022, Kessler declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

Kessler was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 22nd overall pick before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. On July 9, 2022, Kessler signed a rookie-scale contract with the Jazz.