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Standing at 7 feet tall (213 cm), Walker Kessler is a professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz in the NBA. Kessler played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers, where he was named SEC Player of the Week after recording a triple-double against LSU in December 2021. He was born on July 26, 2001, and attended Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia, where he led his team to its first Class 4A state title. Kessler comes from a family of basketball players, with his father, uncle, and brother all having played the sport at Georgia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Walker Ross Kessler |
| Born | July 26, 2001 |
| Height | 7-foot-0 (213 cm) or 6-foot-11 (213 cm) |
| Weight | 245 lbs (111 kg) |
| Position | Center |
| Teams | Auburn Tigers, North Carolina Tar Heels, Utah Jazz |
| High School | Woodward Academy, College Park, Georgia |
| Senior Season Average | 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.2 blocks per game |
| Career Totals | 2,003 points, 1,185 rebounds, 524 blocks |
| Honors | SEC Player of the Week, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, McDonald's All-American, Gatorade High School Player of the Year, Georgia's Mr. Basketball, Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Georgia Player of the Year |
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What You'll Learn
Walker Kessler's height is 7-foot-1 (213 cm)
Standing at 7-foot-1 (213 cm), Walker Kessler is a towering presence on the basketball court. His height has undoubtedly contributed to his success as a basketball player, especially in the center position he plays. Kessler's height gives him a significant advantage in areas of the game such as shot-blocking, rebounding, and scoring, as evidenced by his impressive statistics during his college basketball career at Auburn.
Kessler's height has been an asset since his high school days at Woodward Academy, where he led his team to its first Class 4A state title. His senior-year averages of 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.2 blocks per game showcased his dominance and earned him accolades such as the Gatorade High School Player of the Year and Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Georgia Player of the Year.
At Auburn, Kessler continued to excel, recording a triple-double of 16 points, 11 blocks, and 10 rebounds against LSU in December 2021. This performance highlighted how his height contributed to his all-around impact on the game. Kessler's ability to cover ground and contest shots with his height made him one of the nation's premier shot-blockers, as evidenced by him setting the Auburn single-season block record.
Kessler's height also played a pivotal role in his defensive prowess, earning him the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2021-22 season. His height, combined with his skill and athleticism, made him a formidable defender, capable of altering shots and protecting the rim. Kessler's size and defensive abilities undoubtedly contributed to Auburn's success during his time with the team.
Standing at 7-foot-1, Walker Kessler has used his height to his advantage, establishing himself as a dominant force in college basketball and earning him a place in the NBA, where he currently plays for the Utah Jazz. His height continues to be a key factor in his success and development as a professional basketball player.
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He played for Auburn Tigers in the 2021-22 season
Walker Ross Kessler, born on July 26, 2001, is an American basketball player who stands at 7 feet tall (213 cm) and weighs 245 lbs (111 kg). Kessler played for the Auburn Tigers during the 2021-22 season.
Kessler joined the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team for the 2021-22 season, making an immediate impact. On December 29, 2021, he recorded a triple-double against LSU in their Southeastern Conference opener, scoring 16 points with 11 blocked shots and 10 rebounds, leading Auburn to a 70-55 victory. This feat was Auburn's first triple-double since 2012.
Kessler continued to excel throughout the season, showcasing his defensive prowess. On January 25, 2022, he was named the SEC Player of the Week after strong performances against Georgia and Kentucky. Kessler's defensive abilities were further recognised as he led the nation in blocks, setting the Auburn single-season block record.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, Kessler's outstanding defensive contributions were acknowledged, and he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the All-SEC First Team, and a 3rd Team All American. Kessler's performance during the 2021-22 season solidified his reputation as one of the nation's premier shot-blockers.
Kessler's success at Auburn propelled him into the spotlight, and he subsequently declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 22nd overall pick and later traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kessler's time with the Auburn Tigers during the 2021-22 season served as a launching pad for his professional career, demonstrating his talent and potential on a prominent collegiate platform.
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Kessler was a centre for Auburn
Standing at six foot eleven (213 cm), Walker Kessler was a centre for Auburn. Kessler played for the Auburn Tigers during the 2021-22 season, joining the team after playing his freshman season for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Kessler was born on 26 July 2001 in Georgia, where he attended Woodward Academy in College Park. He was a highly-rated high school player, earning a McDonald's All-American selection and being named Georgia's Mr. Basketball by the Atlanta Tipoff Club and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Georgia Player of the Year.
Kessler made an immediate impact when he joined Auburn, recording a triple-double of 16 points, 11 blocks, and 10 rebounds in their Southeastern Conference opener against LSU on 29 December 2021. This was Auburn's first triple-double since 2012. Kessler went on to have a successful season, being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the All-SEC First Team and 3rd Team All American.
Kessler comes from a family of basketball players. His father, Chad, played for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1983-87 and was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1987 NBA Draft. His uncle, Alec, also played for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 1990 NBA Draft. Kessler's brother, Houston, played for the University of Georgia from 2013-17.
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He was named SEC Player of the Week
Walker Ross Kessler, born on July 26, 2001, is an American basketball player who played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers. Kessler was named SEC Player of the Week after his triple-double performance against LSU in their Southeastern Conference opener on December 29, 2021. He scored 16 points, had 11 blocked shots, and 10 rebounds, leading Auburn to a 70-55 victory. This was only the second triple-double in the program's history.
Kessler received his first career weekly SEC honor on January 3, 2022, and was also recognized as the ESPN Power Rankings Player of the Week. He was regarded as one of the nation's top shot-blockers, leading the nation in blocks and setting the Auburn single-season block record. Kessler's performance against LSU was a continuation of his impressive defensive displays, as he had recorded seven blocked shots against Murray State just a week earlier on December 22.
Kessler's outstanding defensive abilities were further recognized when he received the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award at the conclusion of the regular season. He was also named to the All-SEC First Team and was a 3rd Team All American. On April 3, 2022, Kessler declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 22nd overall pick and subsequently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kessler comes from a family with a strong basketball background. His father, Chad, played college basketball at Georgia and was drafted into the NBA before becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Kessler's uncle, Alec, also played college basketball at Georgia and was drafted into the NBA. Sadly, Alec passed away in 2007. Kessler's brother, Houston, played basketball at Georgia as well.
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He was drafted to the NBA in 2022
Walker Ross Kessler, born on July 26, 2001, is an American basketball player who was drafted to the NBA in 2022. Kessler played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Standing at 7 feet and 1 inch tall, he is regarded as one of the nation's premier shot blockers.
On April 3, 2022, Kessler declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 22nd overall pick. Kessler was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, alongside TyTy Washington, in exchange for Jake LaRavia.
Kessler's selection by the Timberwolves was largely due to his impressive defensive skills and shot-blocking abilities. Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl praised Kessler, attributing his success to his height and length:
> "(His height) is an important piece to the equation. He's a different huge. He's 7-foot-1 and little big. He's got another level length... Think about blocking a shot and think about literally the centimeters between actually getting it, deflecting it, and actually coming close to it."
Kessler's performance in the 2021-22 season with the Auburn Tigers further solidified his potential as a strong NBA prospect. On December 29, 2021, he recorded a triple-double against LSU, scoring 16 points with 11 blocked shots and 10 rebounds. This exceptional performance earned him SEC Player of the Week honors.
Following his impressive 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. He averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game during his time with Auburn.
With his outstanding defensive skills, height, and performance in college basketball, Kessler was a highly sought-after prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft, ultimately landing him a spot on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster.
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