Walker Kessler has proven he’s worth more playing time for Team USA.
Four games down, one game to go before Team USA wraps up its international warmups and the FIBA World Cup truly begins. The boys from the ol’ red, white, and blue are up 4-0 in the warmup stage of the competition, having knocked off Greece on Friday. The game was a showcase for the team’s very best, but it was also a statement of sorts for Walker Kessler.
The team’s only true center, Kessler has not been given a lot of action during the first three games of the preliminary round. But on Friday against a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Greek squad, Kessler finally put in some well-earned minutes.
The second-year big man played 16 minutes, which may be more than he’s played in the first three games combined. Kessler was running the floor and even had a nice transition dunk, that got fans off their seats.
Kessler was everywhere on the court and proved that with his stat line, where he had seven points, five rebounds, a block, and an assist. His PER36 stats would be impressive too, with 15.5 points, 11.25 rebounds, nearly three blocks, and nearly three assists. That’s the kind of stat line he’d be on pace for if he played a full game.
Not only does Kessler impact a game even if he’s getting just a handful of minutes, but his ability to bang with the better international bigs will be invaluable. Right now Team USA hasn’t had a lot of challenges, but they will, the international game is good and Team USA shouldn’t expect to just steamroll the competition.
Giving Kessler more reps and time on the floor will not only give Team USA, arguably their best defender, but it’d give them another body they can throw out there on the court and really give the opposing teams fits.