UTAH JAZZ

Jazz Officially Sign Rookie Walker Kessler

Jul 9, 2022, 2:53 PM | Updated: 3:03 pm

Utah-Jazz-Rookie-Center-Walker-Kessler...

Utah Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz announced the signing of rookie Walker Kessler on Saturday.

Kessler, selected with the 22nd pick of June’s NBA Draft, was one of five players sent to the Jazz from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for three-time All-Star Rudy Gobert.

In addition to Kessler, the Jazz are acquiring Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Balmaro, and four future first-round picks.

What Are Jazz Getting In Walker Kessler?

Kessler was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school and committed to the University of North Carolina in the summer of 2020. After seeing limited minutes with the Tar Heels as a freshman, the center transferred to Auburn and quickly blossomed in Bruce Pearl’s system.

Kessler averaged 11.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and a staggering 4.6 blocks as a sophomore while shooting 60 percent from the floor in just 25 minutes per game.

At 7-foot-1, Kessler has legit NBA size for a center to go along with a 9-foot-5 standing reach.

The Auburn product is a solid athlete who runs the floor easily in transition and moves quickly nearly the hoop to rack up blocked shots both as a primary and help defender. Kessler played exceptionally large at Auburn where he blocked shots with both hands by eliminating any pathway for the ball to the hoop.

Offensively, Kessler knocked down a Gobert-esque 70 percent of his two-point field goal attempts as a sophomore thanks to his long arms, soft touch near the rim, and willingness to finish on top of the rim.

The rookie will enter the NBA with better feel as a scorer near the rim than Jazz fans have seen in recent years, though his dunking numbers won’t resemble Gobert.

Kessler shot the ball well in high school from the perimeter, but it never materialized in college, and will likely be a deciding factor on whether he will be a starter or a reserve big man during his NBA career.

Defensively he’ll likely be used in drop coverage but will have to improve his agility and footspeed to defend on the perimeter.

Kessler will embarrass smaller players who try to beat him to the rim as he did in college, but will struggle with players who have an ability to shoot off the dribble beyond the three-point line.

His rebounding numbers at Auburn were solid but were largely due to his enormous size compared to the competition.

Kessler’s work on the glass had less to do with his ability to sniff out the ball and box out other players than it did his superior frame.

Despite signing with the Jazz on Saturday, he was not included on the team’s Las Vegas Summer League roster.

Ultimately, Kessler’s overwhelming production as a shot-blocker and his true seven-foot frame make him a relatively safe bet to end up as a rotation-level center in the NBA. How he develops offensively, especially as a jump shooter will determine exactly how high his ceiling can be.

  • Utah Jazz Scoreboard

  • Utah Jazz Team Leaders

  • Utah Jazz Standings

Utah Jazz

Utah-jazz-Guard-jordan-clarkson...

Ben Anderson

Can The Jazz Still Make The Playoffs?

The Utah Jazz are off to a slower start to the 2023-24 season than many had expected, begging the question, can they still make the playoffs?

10 hours ago

Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards...

Ben Anderson

Kuzma Praises Keyonte George, Names Favorite Jazz Players

Former University of Utah star Kyle Kuzma hosted a Q&A on social media on Tuesday and answered multiple questions about the Utah Jazz.

10 hours ago

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George...

Ben Anderson

Sexton, George Push Jazz To Win Over Blazers

Collin Sexton and Keyonte George combined for 45 points as the Utah Jazz downed the Portland Trail Blazers in overtime. 

3 days ago

John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz...

Ben Anderson

Blog: Jazz Beat Trail Blazers In Overtime

The Utah Jazz outlasted the Portland Trail Blazers in overtime escaping with an exciting 118-113 victory behind 25 points from Collin Sexton.

3 days ago

Keyonte George Utah Jazz...

Chandler Holt

Keyonte George Has Best Game Of Season Against Portland Trail Blazers

Keyonte George continued his streak of great play in Lauri Markkanen's absence against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. 

3 days ago

Will McDowell-White #7 of the New Zealand Breakers drives into Taylor Hendricks #0 of the Utah Jazz...

Chandler Holt

Jazz Rookie Taylor Hendricks Posts Two Blocks In Return To NBA Action

After being called up from the G League, Jazz rookie Taylor Hendricks recorded two blocks in the first half against Portland.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

KSL Sports

Jazz Notes Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the Jazz Notes newsletter. Get insider analysis, game recaps and opportunities to win tickets!

3 kids wearing real salt lake jerseys smiling...

Real Salt Lake

6 Reasons You Need to Experience a RSL Matchday

RSL Games are a great way to spend time with your family with fun activities, good food, and traditions you can only experience at the field.

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.

Jordan-Clarkson-Utah-Jazz...

KSL Digital Sales

Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season… So Far

At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz were second to last. Now they rank in the top 10 teams in the Western Conference.

Football soccer ball on grass field on stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

Everything You Need to Know to Watch the 2022 World Cup

Find out where and when to watch the upcoming games and final match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including where to find live updates.

ksl-sports-newsletter...

KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.

Jazz Officially Sign Rookie Walker Kessler