AUBURN, AL (EETV)- Ask any coach in the world what wins games, and they’ll all tell you the same thing—defense. This week we’re looking at Auburn’s single-season record holder in blocks, Walker Kessler.
Walker Kessler had some options out of high school. Being a five-star recruit, McDonald’s All-American, and the Gatorade High School Player of the Year, the big man had a decision to make. Kessler had numerous offers from Duke, Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Auburn. Unfortunately for us at the time, we weren’t his first choice. Walker Kessler committed to play for the UNC Tar Heels and legendary coach Roy Williams on September 22nd, 2019. But as we know, he eventually found his way home.
After spending the 2020-21 season in Chapel Hill, Kessler decided it was time for a transition. Being from Georgia, Kessler wanted to be a little closer to home, and that's where Auburn re-entered the picture. Bruce Pearl desperately needed another defensive threat to pair with his new five-star wing commit, Jabari Smith, and Kessler was ready to fill that void. Kessler eventually announced his intention to transfer and play for the Tigers in April of 2021 via social media. The rest is history.
With the 2021-22 season underway, Kessler was seemingly the perfect fit for the Tigers. The Tigers weren’t just winning, they were steamrolling opponents. The Tigers started the season with an overwhelming 22-1 record. Bruce Pearl’s squad had a combination of size, speed, and shooting. This team was built to win, and Walker Kessler was their backbone.
Kessler averaged 11 points, eight rebounds, and FIVE blocks per game in his first season here on the plains. This would cement him as Auburn’s single-season record holder in blocks, as well as place him at seventh on the all-time blocks list for Auburn with 155, over the likes of Charles Barkley and Chris Morris. That year the Auburn Tigers would go on to lose to the University of Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, an unfortunate end for Kessler’s historic season. The newly crowned Naismith Defensive Player of the Year would then go on to declare for the NBA draft, with the chance to be a first-round pick.
With the 22nd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Walker Kessler was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies. Shortly after, he found himself on the Utah Jazz after a whirlwind of trades that took place after draft night. Kessler’s dream had come true, and unfortunately for the rest of the league, he already had a chip on his shoulder.
Walker Kessler would go on to average nine points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game in his rookie season with Utah, earning him All-Rookie First Team honors, as well as a spot in the All-Star Weekend Rising Stars game. His defensive potential continued to shine as Kessler was just the 17th rookie in NBA history to average at least 2.3 blocks per game. The young roster in Utah continues to flourish and show signs of improvement, with Walker Kessler consistently anchoring the defense.
This season, Kessler finds himself just eight games in, with improvement in every major statistical category. Averaging an impressive ten points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, he’s making strides that may eventually land him on an All-NBA Defensive Team, but only time will tell. There are few big men in the game today who can say they average a double-double (double-digits in two main statistical categories) and three blocks per game. Kessler has accomplished that at age just 23 years of age.
The future is bright for Walker Kessler, and this is just the beginning.
