Milwaukee Bucks 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Walker Kessler

With the Milwaukee Bucks holding the twenty fourth choose within the 2022 NBA draft, one factor they is likely to be seeking to do is add one other large man. Brook Lopez simply turned 34 years previous in April and lately had again surgical procedure, so the Bucks might have to start out desirous about their large for the longer term. Walker Kessler out of Auburn is somebody who they is likely to be inquisitive about turning into the “subsequent Brook Lopez.” Right here is an evaluation of his strengths and weaknesses and whether or not or not I consider he can fill that function.

(All stats supplied by Synergy require a subscription)

Walker Kessler

• Place: Heart
• Faculty: Auburn
• Peak: 7’1″
• Peak: 250 lbs
• Stats: 11.4 factors, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 blocks
  • 61 % from the sector, 20 % from three, 60 % from the road

Milwaukee Bucks NBA Draft Scouting Report: Walker Kessler – Strengths

Rim Safety

Walker Kessler is the perfect rim protector in your complete draft, and among the best prospects as a shot-blocker the league has seen in latest reminiscence. With a 7’5″ wingspan together with nice physique management and leaping capacity, Kessler is ready to deter photographs on the rim and he defends with out fouling. He averages an unimaginable 4.6 blocks per recreation and 10 blocks per 100 possessions, and his block charge this previous season was the best for any faculty basketball participant prior to now 14 seasons. Because of this, he was named the 2022 Naismith Males’s Defensive Participant of the Yr in faculty basketball. He ought to be an elite rim protector on the subsequent degree.

Rebounding

Kessler is a superb rebounder together with his measurement and size, grabbing 8.1 rebounds per recreation final season at Auburn and 12.6 rebounds per 40 minutes. He containers out effectively, competes onerous on the glass, and makes use of his size to seize a ton of boards. He is also nice at finding and making outlet passes as soon as he grabs a rebound.

Ending

Together with his leaping capacity and measurement, Kessler is ready to clear up across the rim properly on offense. He transformed 73 % of his photographs on the rim this previous season, which ranked within the 97th percentile, per Synergy. He’s significantly good ending as a roll man within the pick-and-roll, the place he made an unimaginable 94 % of his photographs rolling to the basket, rating within the 99th percentile. Kessler is an influence finisher who converts down low with a number of dunks or lobs, and he ought to be superb as a curler within the NBA.