Walker Kessler

About

American professional basketball player best known for playing as a center for the NBA's Utah Jazz. Prior to being drafted, he enjoyed a successful collegiate career playing for the Tar Heels of University of North Carolina and the Tigers of Auburn University. At the end of the 2022-23 season while playing for the Utah Jazz, he was declared a finalist for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Before Fame

He attended Woodward Academy of College Park, GA, where he was named The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball, and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior year. He was also named a consensus five-star recruit and ranked as one of the top centers of the entire 2020 class. He went on to commit to the University of North Carolina after receiving offers from numerous other institutions including Duke University and Vanderbilt University, to name a few.

Trivia

While attending the University of North Carolina, he set the school's freshman record and an ACC Tournament record for blocks in a game. After his first season, he transferred to Auburn University, where he set the school's single season block record and led the nation in blocks, also being named one of the best shot blockers in the entire nation. While attending Auburn, he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year as well as a member of the All-SEC First Team and a 3rd Team All American.

Family Life

He was born to parents Chad and Andrea Kessler. He has a brother named Houston, who played basketball at the University of Georgia. Both his father and his uncle, Alec, also played basketball for Georgia and were drafted into the NBA before they ultimately became orthopedic surgeons. His girlfriend, Abbie Stockard, was crowned Miss America in 2025.

Associated With

He was first selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 22nd overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft but was later traded to the Utah Jazz alongside several other players including Patrick Beverley and Jarred Vanderbilt.