Walker Kessler is a professional basketball player from the United States of America. He plays in the National Basketball Association for the Utah Jazz. In 2023, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Walker Ross Kessler was born on July 26, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. He stands 213 cm tall and his weight is listed at 111 kg. Kessler is a right-handed center.
| Position | Center |
| Height / weight | 2.13 m / 111 kg |
| Born | 26 Jul 2001 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Team History | |
| 2022 - present | |
His father, Chad, and uncle, Alec, played college basketball at Georgia and were drafted into the NBA before becoming orthopedic surgeons. His brother, Houston Kessler, also played basketball at Georgia.
High School and College Career
Kessler played basketball for Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. He was named The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball, and the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. He was also a McDonald’s All-American selection.
Kessler began his college career at the University of North Carolina in 2020-21. Kessler transferred to Auburn University. In his lone season at Auburn in 2021-22, he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-SEC First Team and All-American Third Team.
Professional Career
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Kessler with the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. On July 6, 2022, his draft rights were traded, along with four future first-round picks, to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Rudy Gobert.
In his rookie season with the Jazz in 2022-23, he finished third in the voting for NBA Rookie of the Year.
As of the start of 2024, he still plays for the Utah Jazz.
Career Highlights
- 2023 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 2022 SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2022 First-team All-SEC
- 2022 Third-team All-American – NABC, USBWA
