Tag: walker kessler

Walker Kessler listed as a contender for NBA Rookie of the Year

Kessler has turned heads during his initial season in the NBA.

[autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag]’s NBA career got off to a strange start, but it has turned out to be just another chapter in a memorable rookie season.

Kessler, who was originally drafted 22nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, was a part of two trades within 13 days before settling with the Utah Jazz. During his initial campaign, Kessler became one of the most consistent rookies of the 2022-23 season. Because of this, Kessler has been listed as a candidate for the KIA NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

The former Auburn big man is a finalist for the award alongside Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City‘s Jalen Williams.

Kessler appeared in 74 games for the Jazz, making 40 starts. Over the season, Kessler averaged 23 minutes, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 9.2 points per game. He also shot 72% from the field.

His best game of the season was on March 25 against the Sacramento Kings, when he scored a season-high 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Another memorable game of Kessler’s rookie season was on Jan. 16 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he scored 20 points and posted 21 boards. He leads all rookies with 20 double-doubles, rebounds, and in blocks.

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NBA reveals the finalists for the Rookie of the Year award

The NBA unveiled the three finalists for Rookie of the Year based on the voting results from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

The NBA on Friday unveiled the three finalists for the Rookie of the Year award based on the voting results from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams were announced on TNT as the three contenders for the award after strong individual performances this season.

Banchero is the front-runner after averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists. The No. 1 pick led the rookie class in a number of categories, including scoring, field goals per game (6.7), free throws (5.5) and 30-point games (6).

Kessler emerged as a candidate after a strong run, posting 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks on 72% shooting from the field. The 22nd pick led all rookies in total rebounds and blocks and finished fourth among all players in the league in that category.

Williams, the 12th pick, recorded averages of 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals on 35.6% shooting from 3-point range. He finished fourth in scoring, fourth in field goals and first in steals among all rookie players.

Banchero, the former Duke standout, has been the favorite to win the honor since the start of the season. However, Williams has picked up steam in the conversation of late, and Kessler has picked up at least one first-place vote.

Overall, the rookie class had a tremendous year as players atop the draft board down to those selected later in the first round have performed at a high level. Certainly, Banchero, Kessler and Williams were deserving finalists.

The winner will be announced on TNT during its coverage of the playoffs.

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Report: Jazz’s Walker Kessler is likely done for the season with a concussion

Kessler leads the rookie class in total rebounds, blocks and double-doubles this season with the Jazz.

Utah Jazz rookie Walker Kessler could miss the rest of the regular season after suffering a concussion, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Kessler was injured in the third quarter of Sunday’s 111-110 loss on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. He attempted to haul in a rebound on offense and was knocked to the ground. He was slow to get up and was a bit disoriented afterward.

He eventually checked out at the next timeout and would not return.

“(He) got hit in the side of the head with an elbow on kind of a weird play on a rebound,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said after the game. “The docs looked at him tonight, didn’t want (him) to come back in the game so he’ll be reevaluated tomorrow.”

The Jazz have four games left in the regular season and still have an outside chance of making the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. Entering play on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, they are a game-and-a-half out of 10th place.

Kessler emerged as one of the top rookies this season, averaging 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 74 games. He leads the rookie class in total rebounds, blocks and double-doubles (20); his 2.3 blocks per game rank fourth among all players in the NBA.

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Wendell Green Jr. makes decision regarding his future with Auburn basketball

It appears that Green will be preparing for another chapter of his basketball career.

Another Tiger has made a decision regarding their future with the program.

Nearly a week after freshmen [autotag]Yohan Traore[/autotag] and [autotag]Chance Westry[/autotag] announced their decision to test the transfer portal waters, point guard [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag] has made an important decision regarding his next step.

In a tweet published on Sunday, Green revealed that he will begin his professional career by declaring for the NBA Draft. Green shared his appreciation for several people in his announcement.

It has been a great honor to play for Auburn University for the past few seasons. Thank you to the coaching and training staff  for your guidance, advice, and leadership. I would also like to thank my teammates and everyone who has played a role in helping me get to where I am today. I would like to announce that I will be starting my professional career and declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.

Green appeared in 68 games in two seasons at Auburn after transferring in from Eastern Kentucky. In 2022-23, Green started in all 34 games as the Tigers’ point guard. He leaves Auburn after averaging 13.7 points and 4.7 assists per game.

Green looks to push Auburn’s streak of having an NBA draft pick to five years and looks to become the first Tiger chosen in the draft since [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] were both drafted in the first round of the 2022 draft.

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Former UNC forward Walker Kessler passes Hall of Famer for rookie record

Former UNC basketball forward Walker Kessler has passed a Hall of Famer for one NBA rookie record.

Former UNC basketball forward [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] is continuing his terrific rookie season in the NBA and is setting league-rookie records along the way.

Playing for the Utah Jazz, Kessler recorded his 11th double-double with at least three blocks, third most in the NBA.

But, it’s a record that broke a mark held by a Hall of Famer that is raising eyebrows.

Kessler’s nine double-doubles this season with at least three blocks and 70% field goal percentage from the field has surpassed Shaq’s record for NBA rookies.

On the season, Kessler is averaging 8.7 points, 8.4 rebounds 2.3 blocks and 22.7 minutes per game.

He’s had six double-doubles in his last eight games. He has 18 double-doubles this season and five additional double-digit rebound games.

Walker was the No. 22 selection in the 2022 NBA draft.

“Walker is somebody that myself and the rest of the staff are constantly encouraging to just sort of let it rip,” Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy recently said about Kessler. “He’s obviously incredibly talented, he works very hard at improving, but he’s a very conscientious kid.”

Kessler played one season for UNC, averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 8.8 minutes per game. He transferred to Auburn where he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 blocks and 25.6 minutes.

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Auburn men’s basketball all-time roster: Tiger Legends

Who is the best of the best in Auburn basketball’s 117 year history?

As conference tournaments begin and the NCAA tournament field starts to take shape… we can officially say that it is March.

The Auburn Tigers began the season with high expectations following an SEC regular season championship. However, with the loss of [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] to the NBA Draft, the Tigers have needed time to get back to their winning ways.

Auburn basketball has won over 1,400 games in its 117-year history and has had many great athletes contribute to that total, with ten going on to be first-round picks in the NBA Draft.

Who are the best of the best when it comes to Auburn basketball’s history?

Auburn Wire has chosen three coaches, five starters, and five reserves to be a part of the all-time roster for Auburn. Here’s a look at the time, with Auburn basketball’s winningest coach starting us off.

Paolo Banchero, Walker Kessler named NBA rookies of the month for February

Banchero won for the third straight month, while Kessler was a first-time winner this season.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference rookies of the month for games played in February, the league announced on Thursday.

Banchero won the award for the third straight month after averaging 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 11 games. He joined Shaquille O’Neal as the only two rookies in team history to win the award in three consecutive months.

Kessler became the fifth Jazz rookie to win after averaging 10.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and one assist on 68.9% shooting from the field in 11 games. He was the only rookie to average a double-double in the month and was second among all players in blocked shots.

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey were also nominated for the award in the Eastern Conference. In the West: Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston), Keegan Murray (Sacramento), Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City), Tari Eason (Houston) and Malaki Branham (San Antonio) were nominated.

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Jazz: Walker Kessler has the most games in the NBA with 7 blocks

Kessler is fourth in the NBA in total blocks after swatting seven shots on Thursday in a win over the Thunder.

Walker Kessler had several clutch plays late and stuffed the stat sheet on Thursday to help lead the Utah Jazz to an overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kessler produced seven points, 18 rebounds, seven blocked shots and two assists in 37 minutes of work in the 120-119 victory. He even hit his first 3-pointer of the season, which came on a designed play by head coach Will Hardy to start the game.

With the Jazz down by two and 4.6 seconds left, Kessler cleaned up a missed layup by Kelly Olynyk to tie the game up at 106. On the other end, Kessler blocked a layup attempt by Isaiah Joe as time expired to force overtime.

Hardy was impressed with his recovery to make the play.

“His length, timing and athleticism continue to stand out,” Hardy said. “That block on Isaiah Joe at the end of regulation was a huge play. There are not many guys that can make that play. Walker does a ton for us. I am on him endlessly and then I come back into the locker room and look at the stat sheet and he had 18 rebounds and seven blocks.”

The performance further illustrated his defensive impact this season.

Kessler has three games with at least seven blocks, the most by any player in the league. He has 124 blocks on the season, which ranks fourth among all players, just 15 behind Brook Lopez’s league-leading mark of 139.

He has proved a real rim protector in his first year in the league with his ability to block and alter other shots in the paint. His size and instincts have been key reasons he has been so successful in the early going.

Hardy believes Kessler is just scratching the surface.

I just think he has so much to give. I think that is the really fun part about where Walker is in his career is that he has the ability to have nights like tonight where he has 18 rebounds and seven blocks. Our staff and I — even Walker if you ask him — think he can get so much better. … I think Walker has the potential to be somebody that you build a defense around. He has shown really great progress this year.

Kessler is emerging as one of the most productive rookies this season with the Jazz. He seemingly plays his role well each night and makes plays when needed. He does a lot of things that may not show up on the box score and that is proving to be valuable for the team.

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Two former Auburn players top 10 in NBA 2K23 rookie ratings

These two former Tigers are representing the Plains well as the All-Star break ends.

Tigers fans looking to play as former Auburn players in NBA 2K23 should expect some good performances.

The NBA is just coming back from the All-Star break, and two familiar names are among the top 10 highest-rated rookies in the game — the Utah Jazz’s [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] and the Houston Rockets’ [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag]. Kessler is the No. 2-rated rookie at 81 overall and Smith is the No.10-rated rookie at 77 overall.

Kessler’s high ranking is well deserved. He’s averaged 9.6 rebounds and 11.1 points per game in his last 10 matchups, and he’s currently averaging 8.2 points per game across the entire year. Kessler’s play has the Jazz currently sitting in 11th in the Western Conference, leaving the team definitively in the fight for a spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament.

Smith, meanwhile, has played for a Rockets team that is currently last in the entire NBA in winning percentage. Despite that, though, he’s played admirably, averaging 12 points per game and seven rebounds per game. He has a relatively low field goal percentage, though, shooting at a 38.9% clip on the year.

There are likely more ratings updates coming to 2K as the season continues, so it will be interesting to see where the former Auburn players land at the end of the year.

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Walker Kessler, Jazz win Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday night

Kessler and Team Jazz walked away as the champions of the Skills Challenge after defeating the Antetokounmpos and Rooks.

Walker Kessler and Team Jazz on Saturday walked away as the champions of the Skills Challenge after defeating the Antetokounmpos and Rooks in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Team Jazz, which also featured Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton, came out of the gate a bit flat after losing in the first round and relay portion of the competition. They regrouped and took the passing and shooting portions of the event to collect the 300 points needed to win.

The trio of players had the benefit of having their home crowd cheer them on throughout the competition. They easily received the loudest ovation of all of the players introduced and were ecstatic to give their fans the victory.

The rookie team, which consisted of Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey and Jabari Smith Jr., took the lead early after posting a one-minute, 14-second time in the relay round. The speed of Ivey paid off on the final relay, which was a full-court sprint and layup.

The Antetokounmpos were without Giannis in the event after the two-time MVP suffered a wrist injury on Thursday with Milwaukee. He was replaced by Bucks teammate Jrue Holiday, but the addition of the All-Star was not enough: The group failed to win in any of the rounds.

The Skills Challenge tipped off the festivities on Saturday night and continued a busy weekend as the league celebrated its stars with the annual showcase.

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