Walker Kessler, a talented big man for Auburn, has announced his plans for next season and the NBA Draft.
In a message posted to social media, Kessler said coach Bruce Pearl recruited him to Auburn where he could accomplish his goals while being close to family.
“I am excited to announce that I will be entering my name into the 2022 NBA Draft,” he wrote while he thanked his family, friends and the coaching staff. “Auburn University will always be home, and I am forever grateful.”
The 7-footer is originally from Newnan, Georgia.
Kessler started his career at North Carolina before he transferred to Auburn last summer, and developed into the best shot-blocker in college basketball and dynamic frontcourt combination with potential No. 1 pick candidate Jabari Smith.
Kessler, ESPN’s No. 24 prospect, received the Naismith and NABC National Defensive Player of the Year honors and named a third-team All-American after he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in 26 minutes per game. He led Auburn to an SEC regular-season championship, and won first-team all-conference and defensive player of the year recognition along the way.
At North Carolina during the 2020-21 season, he averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks, and shot 57.8 percent from the floor.
— Walker Kessler (@WalkerKessler13) April 3, 2022
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
