[autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] and [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] were only college teammates for one season, and it was a season to remember.
The duo averaged over ten points per game and both were instrumental in Auburn’s rebounding department. Their great performance during the 2021-22 season at Auburn turned into a first-round draft selection during the 2022 NBA Draft. Smith went 3rd overall to the Houston Rockets while Kessler was selected 22nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, but would ultimately find a home with the Utah Jazz.
On Monday night, the former Auburn teammates will play as foes on the hardwood, as the Utah Jazz will take their 3-0 record into Houston to face the winless Rockets at 7 p.m. CT.
Kessler has appeared in all three games for the Jazz this season and has averaged 8.3 points per game while shooting 71.4%. In his pro debut, he recorded a double-double while shooting 5-for-5 from the field.
Smith is averaging 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Rockets through three games. His best game to date came Saturday at Milwaukee when he scored 13 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
This will not be the only meet up that Smith and Kessler will have this week. The Rockets will play their return game with the Jazz on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.
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