Auburn big man Walker Kessler, who was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year on Sunday, will enter the 2022 NBA Draft, per ESPN.
Kessler is a projected first-round pick. The third-team All-American averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in 26 minutes per game.
A former five-star recruit who began his career at UNC, Kessler told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony he has not intention of going back to school.
“I am fully committed to the NBA draft,” Kessler said. “I am not planning on returning to college.”
Auburn’s Walker Kessler, National Defensive Player of the Year and projected first round pick, is entering the NBA draft and will not return to college, he told ESPN. Story: https://t.co/MLjfArnl5J
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 3, 2022
Kessler is aiming to become the third member of his family to be selected in the NBA Draft. His uncle Chad was a fifth-round pick in 1987 while his father Alec was the No. 12 overall selection in 1990.
Both men played collegiately at the University of Georgia. Walker Kessler should hear his name called closer to where his father was picked than where his uncle was chosen.
The 2022 NBA Draft combine will be held May 16-22 in Chicago, with the draft itself taking place on June 23 in Brooklyn.
The post Breaking: Auburn’s Walker Kessler Makes NBA Draft Decision appeared first on The Spun.