Walker Kessler 2022 NBA Draft Profile

The 2022 NBA Draft will be an important event for teams to build for their future. Here is the Walker Kessler 2022 NBA Draft Profile.

Walker Kessler Background

Position: Center

Size: 7-foot, 256 pounds

Class: Sophomore

School: Auburn

2021-22 stats: 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 4.6 blocks per game, 60.8% FG, 20% 3FG, 59.6% FT

Kessler spent time at two different schools in two different years, but improved from season to season. He is now a member of the 2022 NBA Draft class.

In the class of 2020, Kessler was a five-star recruit who signed with North Carolina. As a reserve, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Due to limited playing time, he transferred to Auburn. For the Tigers, he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. His play helped Auburn earn a no. 2 seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, but the Tigers fell in the second round.

Following a great season for Auburn, Kessler declared his intentions to play at the next level. He is a projected late first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Walker Kessler Strengths

The first thing teams will notice about Kessler is his ability to protect the rim. He averaged 4.6 blocks per game and 7.1 blocks per 40 minutes. His 7-foot-4 wingspan helps him in this regard, but he shows good timing to block attacking opponents. He can block his man’s shot, but also shows good help defense with some of his blocked shots. For such a frequent shot blocker, he doesn’t foul very often. Kessler can be a great shot-blocker at the next level.

He is great at finishing around the rim, as he shot 81 percent from within four feet of the basket. Kessler has decent footwork for a big man and can finish over smaller defenders. He has a few post moves and consistently finishes in the paint. If he gets his feet deep in the paint, a lot of times he will be able to convert with a basket.

While he shouldn’t be trusted on an island very often, Kessler does have enough footspeed and defensive IQ to guard pick and rolls or when switched. He will not blow anyone away with perimeter defense, but for his size, he does a decent job in a pinch.

Walker Kessler Weaknesses

Kessler will not stretch the floor as a shooter. He shot 20 percent last season from the 3-point line for Auburn. His mid-range jumper wasn’t effective and wasn’t used very often. He also struggles from the free-throw line, as he shot 59.6 percent. In the modern NBA, it will be hard for him to carve out a role without improving his shooting.

In the post, Kessler can have tunnel vision. Once he gets the ball, he tries to shoot most of the time. He averaged 0.9 assists per game and didn’t do a great job of finding the open man. If he can draw the defenses in because he has the ability to finish, his teammates should be open to knock down some 3-point shots. Improving his passing will help make the offense more efficient when he’s on the floor.

He also needs to limit his turnovers. Kessler turned the ball over more than he made assists at Auburn. He can have the ball knocked away while he is in the post and he isn’t much of a dribbler outside of the post. Seeing the whole floor and passing out of double teams will help him in this regard.

Projected Draft Range: Late First Round Pick

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