This NBA season has been very unpredictable on different levels. While some teams have improved from previous years, so have individual players.
One of the players exhibiting major improvement is Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.
Kessler is on his way to having the best season of his young career. Although he played in just 14 of the Jazz’s 20 games, he averages 10.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game. While those averages are all career highs for him, he has already recorded eight double-doubles, more than his total last season.
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Kessler was always productive in his own way
Before entering the 2022 NBA Draft, Kessler played for one year each at the University of North Carolina and Auburn University.
During his tenure at Auburn, Kessler had the chance to showcase his talents. Logging averages of 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 4.6 blocks per contest, he helped lead them to the Midwest Second Round. In the NCAA Tournament, he recorded 12.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game.
Kessler was known as the nation’s greatest shot blocker throughout that year. He won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award and the NABC and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Awards. He also finished with 155 blocks— the most in any single season from an Auburn player.
Kessler was more than ready for the big league
Kessler earned his respect despite being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 22nd pick and then traded to Utah.
He averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and a team-best 2.3 blocks in his first season and led all rookies in total rebounds with 620, blocks with 173, and double-doubles with 20. He made the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished third for Rookie of the Year, behind Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams.
Last season was a bit rough for Kessler as he missed 18 games due to multiple injuries. As a result, he finished with averages of just 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks.
The chance of winning Most Improved Player may be far-fetched for the Utah center. Regardless, he still shows that he belongs in a league where being a traditional big man is rare.
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