History of Walker Kessler in Timeline
Walker Ross Kessler is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA. Before joining the Jazz, he played college basketball, starting his college career with the North Carolina Tar Heels before transferring to Auburn Tigers. He gained recognition for his defensive prowess, earning accolades during his time at Auburn. His strong performance in college led to him being selected in the NBA draft.
July 26, 2001: Birth of Walker Kessler
Walker Ross Kessler was born on July 26, 2001.
2020: Kessler Commits to North Carolina
In 2020, Walker Kessler, a five-star recruit, committed to playing college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He chose North Carolina over offers from several other prominent programs, including Duke, Michigan, Virginia, and Vanderbilt.
March 10, 2021: Record-Breaking Performance Against Notre Dame
On March 10, 2021, Walker Kessler achieved a remarkable feat during the ACC tournament. In a resounding victory against Notre Dame, he recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, and an impressive 8 blocks. This performance set new records for blocks in a single game, both for a North Carolina freshman and in the history of the ACC Tournament.
December 29, 2021: Triple-Double Against LSU
On December 29, 2021, Walker Kessler achieved a triple-double against LSU, recording 16 points, 11 blocks, and 10 rebounds.
April 3, 2022: Declares for 2022 NBA Draft
On April 3, 2022, Walker Kessler declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility after a successful season at Auburn where he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a 3rd Team All American.
July 6, 2022: Traded to Utah Jazz
On July 6, 2022, Walker Kessler was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a deal that sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This trade occurred shortly after Kessler was initially drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies and then traded to the Timberwolves.
2022: NBA Rookie of the Year Finalist
At the end of the 2022-2023 season, Walker Kessler was named a finalist for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, finishing third in the voting.
January 16, 2023: Career-High Performance Against Timberwolves
On January 16, 2023, Kessler achieved a career-high performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 20 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in a narrow 126-125 victory.
March 25, 2023: Career-High Scoring Performance Against Kings
On March 25, 2023, Walker Kessler put up a career-high 31 points against the Sacramento Kings, though the Jazz lost the game 121-113. He also contributed with 11 rebounds in the game.
2025: Girlfriend Crowned Miss America
In 2025, Kessler's girlfriend, Abbie Stockard, was crowned Miss America.