The Utah Jazz were lucky enough to find their big man of the future in Walker Kessler this past season. Fortunately for the seven footer, many people throughout the basketball world took notice of his impressive rookie season.
Now, the Auburn product will get the chance to play on an even bigger stage than the NBA.
Walker Kessler has committed to playing for Team USA
The 21-year-old turned heads with his rookie campaign, averaging 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game this past season. Kessler finished third in the KIA NBA Rookie of the Year Award voting.
The defensive standout has plenty of room for improvement, as CEO Danny Ainge says, but he’ll have plenty of time to improve this summer with Team USA in the Philippines. Kessler was promoted from the USA select team to the main roster for the FIBA World Cup team and will now forgo the Jazz Summer League games the center planned to play in and instead represent the United States.
Kessler was originally going to play in the Utah Jazz summer league for a few games, according to League Sources…..he obviously will no longer be available for that
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 15, 2023
Regardless, the SEC alum will get the chance to work with some of the best basketball coaches and minds in the country this offseason, which in turn could potentially be more rewarding for him than Summer League. Not only will Kessler get to work with some of the best coaches, but he’ll also have the chance to learn from and play with some of the best players across the league. With year two right around the corner for the big man, this should be a good learning experience for him.
With Kessler’s presence for Team USA along with Jaren Jackson Jr., it will be a nightmare for opposing teams attempting to score on both of these elite shot blockers.
The addition of Kessler to the main roster officially brings the main roster for Team USA to 12, leaving three more roster spots to fill.