Auburn

Ryan Kostecka

Here are five things to know about Utah's newest addition:

1.) FIRST-ROUND PICKWhen Utah entered the 2022 NBA draft, not only did the Jazz not have a first-round pick, they didn't have a selection at all.&nbsp;

Yet through the trade with Minnesota, they ended up with Kessler, the No. 22 overall pick out of Auburn.&nbsp;

During last season at Auburn, the 20-year-old averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 60.8 percent shooting from the field in 34 games. He was named to the 2021-22 All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Defensive Team, earning 2021-22 SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was additionally named to the AP All-American Third Team and selected as the 2021-22 NABC Defensive Player of the Year.

He also posted two triple-doubles of the points-rebounds-blocks variety.

2.) IMPRESSIVE BLOODLINEOne thing Kessler has going for him is that high-level basketball is in his blood.&nbsp;

Kessler's father, Chad, and uncle, Alec, were both former NBA draft picks. Alec, the second-leading scorer in history from the University of Georgia, was drafted No. 12 overall by the Miami Heat in 1990 and played four seasons with the Heat. Chad was drafted by the LA Clippers.

Kessler's brother, Houston Walker, also played for Georgia from 2013-2017.

3.) BLOCKING MACHINEWith Rudy Gobert now in Minnesota, many were wondering how the Jazz would replace someone who was consistently among the top shot blockers in the league.

Enter Kessler, the NCAA leader in blocks last season.

His 4.6 blocks per game were the most by a player from a Power 5 conference since Anthony Davis averaged 4.65 blocks for Kentucky during the 2011-12 season.&nbsp;

4.) SHOOTING POTENTIALWhile his offensive game is very reminiscent of Gobert's at this point in his career, the word out of Auburn is that Kessler is a solid shooter from beyond the arc.&nbsp;

Although that skill didn't translate to the collegiate game, there is confidence that he will be able to provide solid pick-and-pop ability, which would be a massive victory for the Jazz.&nbsp;

He shot just 10-for-50 (20%) from three-point territory, but according to Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, Kessler was repeatedly one of their top shooters throughout practices. Kessler did showcase the ability to consistently knock down shots from beyond the arc in high school, so the potential is there — it's just unknown if it will translate to the NBA.

5.) WAIT FOR THE DEBUTWhile Kessler flashes immense potential, fans must wait until October to see the big man and his skills.&nbsp;

Announced on Saturday, Kessler will miss the entire Vegas Summer League while recovering from a minor toe injury sustained during the pre-draft workouts this summer. He has been fully cleared by the Utah medical staff and team physicians to proceed with on-court activities but will not see time in Vegas as he continues to recondition.&nbsp;

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Five Things To Know About Utah's Newest Addition: Walker Kessler

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