Former UNC basketball forward Walker Kessler is continuing his terrific rookie season in the NBA and is setting league-rookie records along the way.
Playing for the Utah Jazz, Kessler recorded his 11th doube-double this season that also included at least three blocks — third most in the NBA.
But, it’s a record that broke a current Hall of Famer that is raising eyebrows.
Kessler’s nine double-doubles this season with at least three blocks and 70 percent field goal percentage from the field has now surpassed Shaq’s record for NBA rookies in league history.
Walker Kessler records his 11th double-double w/ 3+ blocks this season. That’s third most in the NBA and more than twice as many as all other rookies combined. It’s his ninth 3+ block double-double with 70%+ shooting, passing Shaq for most such games by any rookie in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/W7udSwnlyM
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) March 19, 2023
On the season, Kessler is averaging 8.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He’s also putting up 2.3 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game.
He’s had six double-doubles in his last eight games. In total, he has 18 double-doubles this season and five additional double-digit rebound games.
Walker was the No. 22 overall selection in the 2022 NBA draft.
“Walker is somebody that myself and the rest of the staff are constantly encouraging to just sort of let it rip,” Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy recently said about Kessler. “He’s obviously incredibly talented, he works very hard at improving, but he’s a very conscientious kid.”
Kessler played just one season for UNC, averaging 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in 8.8 minutes a game. He then transferred to Auburn where he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game in 25.6 minutes.
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