Last Updated on September 12, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Walker Kessler has quickly emerged as one of the league’s premier young rim protectors, using his timing, length, and instincts to anchor defenses and alter countless shots around the basket. On the other end, he embraces a simple, efficient role as a finisher and rebounder, giving his team a dependable interior presence at both ends of the floor.

Here’s a detailed profile of Walker Kessler:

  • Full Name: Walker Ross Kessler
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on July 26, 2001
  • Hometown: Newnan, Georgia, USA
  • Height: 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm)
  • Weight: 245 pounds (111 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 4 inches (224 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 16 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Adidas Adizero Select, Adidas Harden Vol. 6
  • Jersey Number: 24
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Woodward Academy (College Park, Georgia)
  • College: Auburn University (Auburn Tigers)
  • NBA Draft: 2022, 1st Round, 22nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies (traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Minnesota Timberwolves (2022)
    • Utah Jazz (2022–Present)
  • Championship Rings: None as of 2024
  • Kids: No known children
  • Siblings: He has an older brother named Houston Kessler and a younger brother named Alec Kessler.

Walker Kessler’s player archetype is a rim-protecting center whose game is built around interior defense, rebounding, and efficient finishing. Standing 7 feet tall with a long wingspan and excellent timing, he discourages drives without needing to chase blocks on every possession, often forcing opponents to rethink shots around the basket. His offensive role remains straightforward, centered on screening, rolling hard to the rim, catching lobs, and converting close-range opportunities at a high percentage. Kessler’s presence is felt most when he anchors the paint, controls the defensive glass, and allows teammates to apply more pressure on the perimeter knowing help is waiting behind them.

Scouting Report

The first thing you notice about Walker Kessler is how patient he is around the rim. A lot of shot blockers chase highlights and leave their feet too early, but he usually waits for the offensive player to commit before extending those long arms, which is why so many drivers end up altering their release instead of even attempting the shot they wanted. His presence changes offensive decision-making as much as the box score. He’s most comfortable sitting in drop coverage, keeping the ball handler in front long enough to discourage the lob while remaining close enough to the basket to contest without fouling. That’s where his defensive value really takes off. Offensively, he’s refreshingly uncomplicated. He sets solid screens, rolls with purpose, presents a reliable target above the rim and understands how to create second-chance opportunities simply by carving out rebounding position before the shot goes up. The interesting thing is that he doesn’t need touches to stay involved because his screening often creates the first advantage of the possession, even when someone else gets the credit. The trade-off comes when offenses pull him away from the paint. Five-out spacing, empty-side pick-and-rolls and lineups built around multiple shooting threats can force him into longer closeouts and repeated changes of direction, where quicker ball handlers have a better chance of attacking before he can recover. His offensive game is also fairly dependent on others creating the advantage first, as he isn’t someone who will punish switches with polished post footwork or facilitate offense from the elbows. Teams with strong perimeter defenders and high-level pick-and-roll creators are the natural fit because they allow him to concentrate on what he does best: protecting the rim, controlling the glass and finishing efficient opportunities around the basket. To me, his game shares plenty with Jakob Poeltl because of the positional discipline and understated impact on both ends, while there are echoes of a young Rudy Gobert in the way opponents gradually become reluctant to challenge him inside even when the lane initially appears open.

Player Insights

The Utah Jazz said they were considering trading Walker Kessler after the 2023-24 NBA season. However, this year the Jazz have said Walker Kessler is untouchable. Kessler has had a decent season so far, but it hasn’t been great. Maybe the Jazz are playing poker, and another team could trade for him during the offseason. For now, he remains the Jazz’s starting center. If Kristaps Porzingis can’t stay healthy this 2024-25 playoffs, I’d expect Boston to be one of the teams calling Utah about Kessler. 2/10/2025