Walker Kessler is emerging as one of the most productive rookie players this season with the Utah Jazz, and the 22nd pick earned a bit of praise from a player close to fans’ hearts: Rudy Gobert.
Of course, the two were involved in the trade that sent Gobert from the Jazz to the Minnesota Timberwolves in July. In return, the Jazz acquired Kessler, Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Jarred Vanderbilt and four first-round picks.
Gobert spent nine years with the Jazz after the organization made him the 27th pick in 2013. He was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Star in Utah and is regarded as perhaps the top center in the game today.
He returns to Salt Lake City for the first time since that trade on Friday and is eager to take the court as a visitor. Gobert is quite fond of the Jazz and their strong start this season, and he has even been impressed with the play of Kessler, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
I love him. I’ve heard great things about him. It seems like he’s a great kid and he’s a student of the game. Someone told me that before he came into the league, he watched a lot of film of me so that’s kind of funny in a way. I’m really happy to see him play the way he’s playing. I wish him the best. I think he has a great future ahead of him.
Kessler is averaging six points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks on 76.3% shooting from the field in 24 games. He leads the rookie class in blocks and is seventh among all players in the NBA. He had the third-most blocks (30) through the first 20 games by a Jazz rookie.
The 7-footer had the opportunity to go up against Gobert and the Timberwolves in their second game of the season on Oct. 21. Kessler recorded six points, five rebounds, four blocks and two assists in the 132-126 win. Gobert had nine points, 23 rebounds and two blocks.
There are certainly a lot of similarities between the two players so it is easy to see that Kessler studied Gobert prior to arriving in the NBA. It will be worth monitoring how the two play against each other on Friday and the subsequent meetings to follow.
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