Walker Kessler

Walker Kessler

22-Year-Old CenterC
Utah Jazz  NBA  
Utah Jazz
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Kessler started his rookie season on the bench, logging fewer than 18 minutes per night for the first two months. During that time, he was able to carve out a roster spot in many fantasy leagues, a move that was to prove fruitful as the season progressed. By the end of the season, he had firmly established himself as the starting center in Utah, putting up top-20 value over the final two months. He ended as a fifth-round player, putting up healthy averages of 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in just 23.0 minutes per game, shooting 72.0 percent from the field. Looking ahead to his sophomore season, Kessler will undoubtedly open as the starting center on a team potentially looking to push back into the playoffs. While direct translations are when projecting value, it's safe to assume he will be a high-priority target this season, likely in the fourth round. Managers must be aware that his value is heavily tied to just three categories. Of the three, blocks are by far his most important and influential category. Over the final two months of last season, he was blocking 3.2 shots per game, logging 28.6 minutes per contest. For anyone who misses out on an elite center earlier in drafts, he presents as a perfect secondary option who could potentially lead the league in blocks in just his second season. Read Past Outlooks
RANKSFrom Preseason
#69
ADP
$Signed a two-year, $5.53 million contract with the Jazz in July of 2022. Jazz exercised $2.97 million team option for 2024-25 in October of 2023. Contract includes $4.88 million team option for 2025-26.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary

Walker Kessler was born in Atlanta, Georgia on July 26, 2001. In high school, he played for Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia and averaged 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game during his senior season. He also led his high school squad to the Class 4A state title and was later named The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. Kessler was also rewarded with a selection to the McDonald's All-American Game. As a five-star recruit, Kessler committed to play college basketball for coach Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels. On March 10, 2021, the seven-foot center posted 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks during a 101-59 win over Notre Dame in the second round of the ACC Tournament. However, Kessler decided to transfer after his freshman season with the Tar Heels and chose Auburn over Gonzaga. On Dec. 29, 2021, Kessler recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 11 blocks and 10 rebounds against LSU. At the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, Kessler was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the All-SEC First Team and a Third Team All American. Regarded as one of the best shot blockers in his class, Kessler declared for the 2022 NBA Draft and chose to forgo his remaining college eligibility. Kessler was drafted by the Grizzlies with the 22nd overall pick.

Blocks six shots Wednesday
CUtah Jazz
November 30, 2023
Kessler recorded nine points (4-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, six blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 105-91 loss to the Grizzlies.
ANALYSIS
Kessler continues to come off the bench, something that is likely to change sooner rather than later. Since returning from injury, he has blocked a total of 10 shots in three games, adding a combined 27 rebounds. After a slow start to the season, it appears that Kessler is fully healthy and looking a lot like the player we expected to see coming into the season.
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2022
Stat Review
How does Walker Kessler compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
  • True Shooting %
    An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
  • Effective Field Goal %
    A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
  • 3-Point Attempt Rate
    Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
  • Free Throw Rate
    Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
  • Offensive Rebound %
    An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
  • Defensive Rebound %
    An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
  • Total Rebound %
    An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
  • Assist %
    An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
  • Steal %
    An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
  • Block %
    An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
  • Turnover %
    An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
  • Usage %
    An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
  • Fantasy Points Per Game
    NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
  • Fantasy Points Per Minute
    NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
56.1%
 
Effective Field Goal %
55.2%
 
3-Point Attempt Rate
12.6%
 
Free Throw Rate
21.8%
 
Offensive Rebound %
13.3%
 
Defensive Rebound %
22.3%
 
Total Rebound %
17.6%
 
Assist %
4.6%
 
Steal %
0.4%
 
Block %
9.2%
 
Turnover %
11.0%
 
Usage %
15.2%
 
Fantasy Points Per Game
26.7
 
Fantasy Points Per Minute
1.1
 
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Total
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Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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Historical ADP
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Jazz Depth Chart
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Jazz Rotation: Minutes Breakdown
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Average Fantasy Points
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Walker Kessler was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Gets ROY consideration
CUtah Jazz
April 25, 2023
Kessler came in third in voting for the 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award, Tony East of SI.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Kessler placed third behind Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams. After being drafted 22nd overall and traded from Minnesota to Utah in the Rudy Gobert deal, Kessler had an impressive rookie campaign. Despite starting in only 40 of his 72 appearances, he averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 23.0 minutes. His rebounding and block numbers ranked second and first, respectively, among all rookies. Kessler figures to be a full-time starter in 2023-24 and should continue to improve his production.
See All NBA Rumors
2022 Fantasy Outlook
After initially being drafted by the Timberwolves, Kessler was abruptly traded to Utah as part of the Rudy Gobert deal. Landing with the Jazz, Kessler actually finds himself in what could be a favorable spot as the potential starting center. Coming out of college, Kessler was regarded as arguably the best rim protector in the draft, averaging 4.6 swats in just over 25 minutes per game last year at Auburn. His skillset could translate quite well into fantasy, especially if the Jazz opts to roll with him as their primary option. Currently, he will be battling Udoka Azubuike, Kelly Olynyk, Cody Zeller for center minutes heading into camp. Kessler is intriguing as a standard-league flier for fantasy managers who need help in that category at the end of drafts. However, he'll likely be a more practical draft pick in deeper formats.
More Fantasy News
Coming off bench Wednesday
CUtah Jazz
November 29, 2023
Kessler isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies, David Locke of Utah Jazz radio reports.
ANALYSIS
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On minutes restriction Monday
CUtah Jazz
November 27, 2023
Kessler is expected to be available for 21-to-26 minutes Monday against the Pelicans, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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Double-doubles in return
CUtah Jazz
November 25, 2023
Kessler (elbow) supplied 11 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 21 minutes during Saturday's 105-100 victory over the Pelicans.
ANALYSIS
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Available off bench
CUtah Jazz
November 25, 2023
Kessler (elbow) will be available off the bench Saturday against the Pelicans, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
ANALYSIS
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Expected to play Saturday
CUtah Jazz
Elbow
November 25, 2023
Kessler (elbow) is now listed as probable for Saturday's game versus the Pelicans, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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