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Walker Kessler

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Walker Kessler
Auburn Tigers
PositionCenter / Power forward
LeagueSoutheastern Conference
Personal information
Born (2001-07-26) July 26, 2001 (age 23)
Atlanta, Georgia
NationalityAmerican
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High schoolWoodward Academy
(College Park, Georgia)
College
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Walker Ross Kessler (born July 26, 2001) is an American college basketball player for the Auburn Tigers of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He previously played for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

High school career

Kessler played basketball for Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. In his senior season, he averaged 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game, leading his team to its first Class 4A state title. Kessler was named The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year.[1][2] He was a McDonald's All-American selection.[3] Kessler competed for Game Elite on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.[4]

Recruiting

A consensus five-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2020 class, he committed to playing college basketball for North Carolina over offers from Duke, Michigan, Virginia and Vanderbilt, among others.[5][6]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Walker Kessler
C 		Newnan, GA Woodward Academy (GA) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Sep 22, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   ESPN grade: 94
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 24  247Sports: 28  ESPN: 14
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "North Carolina 2020 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  • "2020 North Carolina Tar Heels Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.

College career

North Carolina

On March 10, 2021, Kessler posted 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks in a 101–59 win over Notre Dame in the second round of the ACC Tournament. He set a North Carolina freshman record and an ACC Tournament record for blocks in a game.[7] As a freshman, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.[citation needed]

Auburn

Following the season, Kessler transferred to Auburn, choosing the Tigers over Gonzaga.[8]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 North Carolina 29 0 8.8 .578 .250 .537 3.2 .3 .5 .9 4.4

Personal life

Kessler's father, Chad, and his uncle, Alec, played college basketball at Georgia and were drafted into the NBA before becoming orthopedic surgeons.[9] His brother, Houston, also played basketball at Georgia.[10]

References

  1. ^ Holcomb, Todd (March 26, 2020). "7-foot Walker Kessler is Georgia's boys basketball player of the year". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Smith, Adam (April 13, 2021). "New UNC coach Hubert Davis's pursuit comes up empty as transfer Walker Kessler picks Auburn". Times-News. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Green, Tom (April 13, 2021). "A closer look at Walker Kessler and Auburn basketball's retooled roster (so far)". AL.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  4. ^ Jordan, Jason (April 13, 2019). "adidas Gauntlet: Elite 2020 center Walker Kessler is wide open despite deep family ties to Georgia". USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Carroll, Charlotte (September 22, 2019). "Five-star Center Walker Kessler Commits to North Carolina". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Wells, Adam (September 22, 2019). "5-Star C Prospect Walker Kessler Commits to UNC over Duke, Michigan and More". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Bacot, UNC beat Notre Dame 101-59, advance to ACC quarters". USA Today. Associated Press. March 10, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  8. ^ Borzello, Jeff (April 12, 2021). "Sought-after center Walker Kessler, one of the top players in the men's basketball transfer portal, commits to Auburn Tigers". ESPN. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  9. ^ Makrides, Alex (March 6, 2018). "Chad Kessler honored to be named SEC Basketball Legend like his brother". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  10. ^ Funderburk, Kyle (March 23, 2021). "UNC's Walker Kessler Enters Transfer Portal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
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