2022 NBA Draft: Minnesota Timberwolves select Walker Kessler, Auburn center, after trade with Memphis Grizzlies

Auburn center Walker Kessler is off the board in the 2022 NBA Draft. With the No. 22 pick of the first round, Kessler was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who acquired the pick from the Memphis Grizzlies.

A sophomore for the Tigers this past season, Kessler was one of their premier post players with 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds per game. His 4.6 blocks per game led the SEC, and were more than two ahead of second-place Colin Castleton of Florida. Kessler helped Auburn earn a two seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the second round to Miami.

This was his first season at Auburn after transferring from North Carolina, where he put up 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds across just 8.8 minutes per game as a freshman. Kessler was the No. 4 center in the class of 2020 according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He chose to play for the Tar Heels over offers from Duke, Gonzaga, Memphis and others.

ESPN NBA Draft scouting report on Walker Kessler

Kessler’s performance this past season grabbed the attention of many hoops scouts across the country. Here’s what ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony had to say about the Tigers big man:

“Kessler’s appeal starts with his dimensions, weighing 245 pounds with a 7-5 wingspan and a 9-3 standing reach,” Givony wrote. “He towers over opponents, making him an outstanding target for pick-and-roll lobs, and shows reliable hands while catching pocket passes. He’s able to knock down turnaround jumpers and hook shots while demonstrating polished footwork around the basket or attacking closeouts from the perimeter with both hands. He also shows potential with his passing, especially out of high-low and short rolls where he has mostly made good decisions while flashing a feel for cutting to open spots.

“Known for his shooting prowess in high school, he’s just a 19.2% shooter from 3 and 56% from the free throw line in his college career. Rediscovering his stroke would be notable; there are questions about whether he has the run-jump quickness and explosiveness to emerge as a major scorer at the NBA level, as there’s a bit of a robotic quality to his game in that he relies on his size to find advantages.”