It’s only fitting on what promises to be a historic night for Auburn basketball that Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler will both be in attendance.
Smith, the favorite to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic, was always expected to attend the draft in Brooklyn. But ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported on Wednesday, that Kessler has also received and accepted an invitation to the green room. He is projected to be drafted in the middle to late portion of the draft.
Bruce Pearl will also be there to celebrate the occasion.
Kessler, who spent his freshman season at North Carolina, had one of the best defensive seasons in college basketball history for Auburn. The 7-foot-1 center was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after leading the nation in block rate (19.1%), and total blocks (155).
He also averaged 11.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. His triple-doubles against Texas A&M and LSU were the second and third in program history.
His offensive game will need to improve in the NBA but his defensive and rebounding will make him ready to contribute right away.
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