Walker Kessler is a promising young American basketball player who currently plays for the Utah Jazz of the NBA. He is known for his shot-blocking ability and rebounding skills, as well as for his size.
Kessler was selected 22nd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by Memphis Grizzlies and then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After eight days, the rookie was again traded to Utah Jazz.
Having scored his career-high 23 points for the Jazz to come back from a large deficit against Toronto on February 10, 2023, fans are eager to know more about Kessler.
The below article will reveal everything about Walker Kessler.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Walker Ross Kessler |
| Known as | Walker Kessler |
| Birthdate | July 26, 2001 |
| Age |
22 Years Old
|
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Father’s Name | Chad Kessler |
| Mother’s Name | Andrea Kessler |
| Siblings | Houston Kessler and Lilly Kessler |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend | Maggie Hellgeth |
| Children | None |
| Height | 7 feet 1 inch/2.16 m/216 cm |
| Weight | 245 lbs/111 kg |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Education |
|
| NBA Draft | Memphis Grizzlies: 2022/ Round: 1/ Pick 22nd Overall |
| Awards & Achievements |
|
| Playing Career | 2022-Present |
| Position | Centre |
| Jersey Number | 24 |
| Average Annual Salary | $3.34 Million |
| Base Salary (2022-23 Season) | $2.69 Million |
| Net Worth | $1-3 Million |
| Social Media | Twitter, Instagram |
| Last Update | March 2024 |
Early Life & Education
Early Life
Walker Kessler, son of Chad Kessler and Andrea Kessler, was born on July 26, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
His father, Chad, and uncle, Alec, played college basketball in Georgia, and they were drafted into the NBA, but unfortunately, he failed to make the roster and never got to play in the NBA.
Chad later played in the Australia Basketball League for a year before returning to his studies in medicine and becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
Coming from a sports background, Walker started playing basketball at a very young age.
He has a brother and sister named Houston Kessler and Lily Kessler, respectively. Houston, his brother, also played college-level basketball for Georgia.
Education
Kessler completed high school at Woodward Academy in College Park and began his career playing for them.
He led his team to its first Class 4A state title as a senior, averaging 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.2 blocks per game.
As a high schooler, Kessler won numerous awards, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year, Mr. Georgia Basketball, and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year.
Walker decided to play for the University of North Carolina despite receiving numerous offers from universities like Duke, Michigan, Virginia, and Vanderbilt.
After completing his freshman year, Kessler chose Auburn over Gonzaga. He won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award at the end of the season.
Career
Kessler was the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft but was traded twice before starting his career in the league.
He was chosen by the Grizzlies on June 24, 2022, then traded to the Timberwolves.
He was traded by the Timberwolves to Utah Jazz on July 6, 2022, for Rudy Gobert.
Walker Kessler then signed a four-year rookie contract with Utah Jazz on July 9, 2022.
He made his NBA debut on October 19, 2022, starting with a 123-102 win against the Nuggets, where he scored 12 points.
On February 11, 2023, he scored a career-high 23 points in a 122-116 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Walker Kessler | Net Worth & Contracts
Net Worth
The Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, as of March 2024, holds an estimated net worth between $1 and $3 million.
Aside from regular NBA salaries, he earns from brand endorsement with Adidas. On December 15, 2022, he shared a picture of him wearing an Adidas t-shirt and promoting the brand on his social media.
Kessler tweeted, “This is just the beginning. Excited to announce I have joined the @adidasbasketball family for the next chapter of my career.”
Contracts
Walker Kessler signed a four-year $13.37 million rookie contract with the Utah Jazz on July 9, 2022.
The deal includes a $3.34 million average annual salary and a $5.52 million guaranteed.
For the 2022-23 season, Kessler earns a salary of $2.696 million, followed by a raise to $2.831 million in the 2023-24 season.
As per his rookie contract, he will become a free agent after the 2025-26 season.
But the deal, following the 2024-25 NBA season, also offers him eligibility for a rookie extension worth $215 million for five years with a $37.07 million average annual salary.
Relationship & Social Media Presence
Relationship
Talking about his relationship, Kessler has been together with Maggie Hellgeth since 2021.
Although both Kessler and Hellgeth are from Atlanta, Georgia, they attended different universities. It is still unknown how they began dating, though.
Hellgeth is currently attending Savannah College of Art and Design, where she will graduate in 2024.
Both are active on social media but rarely post photos of themselves.
They are not yet married and do not have children.
Social Media
Talking about his social media, Walker Kessler is active on Instagram with 77k followers and on Twitter with 14.7k followers.
View this post on Instagram
He usually shares his game pictures with practice reels on his social media.
Interesting Facts
- Walker Kessler’s father, uncle, and brother all played college-level basketball in Georgia.
- During his college career, Kessler set the North Carolina freshman record for most blocks (8 blocks) in a game and Auburn’s single-season record for 155 blocked shots.
- On January 16, 2023, Kessler recorded a double-double with 20 points, 21 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in a 126-125 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that traded him.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Did Chad Kessler play in the NBA?
Chad Kessler, Kessler's father was selected 93rd overall in the 1987 draft but was not named in the main roster so he chose to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Why did Walker Kessler transfer from the University of North Carolina to Auburn?
Kessler wanted to be close to his family. He said “The pandemic affected a lot of people in many different ways. For me, I just realized I wanted to be closer to home.”
How much does Walker Kessler make?
Kessler is the tenth best-paid player of the Utah Jazz in the 2022-23 season, earning a base salary of $2.696 million.
