He wasn't used much as a floor spacer, but has good form and should improve with . BY Brian Fritz. the Los Angeles Clippers deployed against Rudy Gobert. Kessler averaged 8.1 RPG, including 2.6 OREBs and 5.4 DREBs. Transfers to Auburn and re-discovers himself by playing big out of PNR, blocking shots . A player with a high assist rate is likely to produce a lot of . 6-11, 220 | Class of 2020. Will he be just another Drop coverage big, or can he mix things up in a more aggressive style of pick-and-roll defense? 15 Greatest Draft Picks in Franchise History. Among them for me is Walker Kessler. The NBA has a way of playing immobile big men off the floor, which could be a fatal flaw for Kessler. 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%. He tends to pick up his dribble early instead of continuing to backdown for a better position. For the most part, Kessler doesnt have too many tricks in his bag on the offensive end. On the offensive end he plays like a combo forward trapped in a centers body. Cookie Notice Best Case Scenario: Works his way into a starting role anchoring a great playoff-team defense. Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report. Yet when I hear most other fans speak of Kessler, most would prefer the team to stay away from him. He stands at 71, 256 lbs, with a 74 wingspan comparable to Moses Brown, Wendell Carter Jr., Jakob Poeltl, and Willie Cauley-Stein. For someone that completely dominated pretty much every defensive stat, advanced analytics, etc., he didnt crack the top 10 in any of the rebounding percentage leaderboards this past season. 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. One of this draft class' top defensive prospects won't be doing on-field work at the NFL Scouting Combine. 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. 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. The Minnesota Timberwolves addressed their interior defense by selecting Auburn center Walker Kessler with the No. 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. 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. DRAFT SCOUTING REPORTS: Chet Holmgren | Paulo Banchero. Position: C. Height: 7'0". With his size, Kessler is going to be a big threat for any PNR action, lobs, and dump offs. 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. The 20-year-old might have a long career ahead. 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. 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. with Ice Coverage. Akron. AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn center Walker Kessler, who was chosen the nation's top defensive player, plans to enter the NBA Draft. during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Scouting Report: Walker just put together arguably the most productive shot-blocking season on record in terms of production per minute. Are you sure you want to report Kessler's team for inappropriate content? Hes a smart player and you cant teach IQ and awareness. 22 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft. 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. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Fantastic size and length help him make his huge defensive impact . He also is great at locating and making outlet passes once he grabs a rebound. Shows flashes of face up game and being able to put the ball on the floor. He does foul a lot, registering 6.1 fouls per 100 possessions over the course of his college career. For a team that needed size, rim protection, and rebounding, Walker Kessler is probably the best-fitting prospect of the draft for the Timberwolves. 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). Please play responsibly. Kesslers defensive upside begins with his shot-blocking ability, which extends to some jump shots. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Kessler is emerging as a big time center prospect who contributes on both ends of the floor. Pictures & Videos. 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. The biggest questions for evaluating Kesslers defensive trajectory is how much that can carry over to an NBA floor. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Walker Kessler is the best rim protector in the entire draft, and one of the best prospects as a shot . Void in ONT. 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 he can get 6-10 PPG just from PNRs, FTs, OREBs, and dump offs, thats more than enough. Salary: $2,696,400. Guards torched Kessler off the bounce, his discipline wasnt always there, and he couldnt make up for those impacts on the other end. Walker Kessler is the best rim protector in the entire draft, and one of the best prospects as a shot-blocker the league has seen in recent memory. 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. Standing Reach: 8 5.5. Due to limited playing time, he transferred to Auburn. Walker Kessler. 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. He averaged around 11 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG/1 SPG/4.6 BPG. Has nimble feet for a footer . Can run the floor. Recruiting Activity; Scouting Report; Player News; Scouting Report. 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. Air Force. 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. #2022NBADraft #WalkerKesslerVideo breakdown of 2022 draft prospect and Auburn Tigers P Walker KesslerMake sure you follow us on Twitter @TheBoxAndOne_And subscribe to us on Substack! In a league where most players have mastered playing around length, Kessler will need to iron that out quickly. 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. The NBA trade deadline and LeBron James overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in scoring could happen in the same week. View stats, analysis and highlights. one thing they might be looking to do is add another big man. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. 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. 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. Auburn lands a big time center prospect who left UNC after his freshman season. Timberwolves Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year), Jaylen Nowell, SG: $1.2M (2023, Club Option). Watch on. 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! UFC 285 Main Card Picks on DraftKings Sportsbook. 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. 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 Kessler's length, mobility, and rim protection give him a unique skill set, allowing him to provide great impact on an NBA floor. 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. Were going to take a look at the top prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and provide a player comparison for how we see them developing at the next level. 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. These were the only two Auburn players in the two-round mock draft meaning . As a result, he was named the 2022 Naismith Mens Defensive Player of the Year in college basketball. 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. Injury Reports; Player Notes; Player Props New; NBA Roster Changes; Can't Cut List; Stat Corrections; Research. If youre into analytics, Kessler had the highest block percentage of all time since 2009-10 at 19.05% (CBB Reference). Developing his shot would be the cherry on top.. Good footwork and post skills. Walker Kessler was a top 25 recruit out of high school. Walker Kessler's father, Chad, played basketball at Georgia. His lack of strength hinders his ability to score and guard in the post as well. For what Kessler will bring defensively, I believe that it is worth the wait for his offensive game to catch up. However, he still finished around 73% of his shots at the rim (not post-ups) according to Synergy. Big (literally) threat as a roll man in the P&R. 17 Tennessee As the season has progressed, so too has Auburn's 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. Out of the league after his rookie deal. 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. Alec Kessler Uncle. Additionally, Kessler struggles to guard the perimeter consistently. 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. Report: Bears 'leaning toward' trading the No. If you think highly of Brook Lopez, then I dont see why you wouldnt think highly of Walker Kessler. He boxes out well, competes hard on the glass, and uses his length to grab a ton of boards. Kessler is also a strong rebounder and isnt afraid to mix things up in the middle. Pulled some clips of him handling in transition in open space. Miami attacked him endlessly in their 5-out scheme, mirroring the attack the Los Angeles Clippers deployed against Rudy Gobert during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Please, How good was Kessler anchoring Auburns defense as a top-ten team in the country for most of the year? Connelly and staff said it best - we won't be able to judge these picks after Summer League or even after year 1. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). How he handles the increased athleticism around him will be telling. This was also the strength of Kessler at Auburn, he set an NCAA record last season in block rate. Wilson later denied the report: "I never wanted them fired." a day ago. 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 . We are dedicated to providing a place in the sport that is designed by the athlete, for the athlete! 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. Alabama. Projection . Walker Kessler. He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and Auburn Tigers. Analysis. Might get some All-Defense votes in his prime. Defensive discipline is lacking for Kessler with many of his fouls, especially on the perimeter. Field Goals. 2022 Draft Profile - Walker Kessler. 647. As far as skill goes, Kessler is behind many other bigs in the category. As a benchmark, Anthony Davis averaged 4.65 BPG in his season at UK (34th all time). This is a great stat when scouting back-up point guards who may be in line for increased playing time. 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. 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. 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. Scouting Walker Kessler: Projection. 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. . 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. with 7-footer Walker Kessler's 4.6 blocks per game leading the nation among Power 5 schools.) Gambling Problem? The biggest issue that most have with Kessler is his lack of offensive ability at this stage of his career. NBA Draft content related to the Dallas Mavericks. Walker Kessler DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. Miami attacked him endlessly in their 5-out scheme, mirroring the attack. 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. Walker Kessler's 2023 draft profile. Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha . February 25, 2023, 10:43 a.m. Fearless Forecast vs San Antonio Spurs: . He averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in 34 games. He has great hands . , so he lunges at perimeter shooters, bites on nearly every pump fake and gets himself into trouble as a result. Later in the mock draft, Auburn's Walker Kessler is selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 18th overall selection. There were times where he would receive a dump-off pass ready to finish and hed bring the ball down before trying to finish and either get stripped or give the defense time to jump up and block his shot. 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. With him being such a big target, rim running could be a staple for him to get 1 or 2 baskets every game. Worst Case Scenario**:** G League/3rd string big man that isnt impactful enough defensively to get minutes in the NBA. At the 2019 NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, King led all scorers with 19 points per game. He averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in 34 games. Fantasy. North Carolina has set itself up for success for years to come with this incoming 2020 recruiting class. 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. Fights for rebounds. This weakness paired with his lack of vertical athleticism is a bit alarming. 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). Learn about Walker Kessler and other recruit player profiles on RecruitingNation.com. Is great at locating and making outlet passes once he grabs a rebound team for inappropriate content basketball the! Per 100 possessions over the next few years defensively to get 1 or 2 baskets every game Kareem in! 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