Walker Kessler at the Utah Jazz Center has committed to play for Team USA at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer in the Philippines. Kessler, 21, was selected 22nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2022 NBA Draft. Then-product Auburn and TyTy Washington Jr. were traded. to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jake LaRavia.
This past July, Minnesota signed Kessler, Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverly, Leandro Polmaro, Jared Vanderbilt and five future first-round draft pick Rudy Gobert. Kessler went on to sign a four-year, $13.37 million contract with the Jazz Band.
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Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has committed to play for Team USA’s FIBA World Cup team this summer in the Philippines, ESPN sources report. Kessler had an All-Rookie season, averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2023
32 national teams will compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which runs from August 25 to September 10, 2023. The group stage will be held in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. The final stage will take place in the Philippine capital, Manila.
Eight other players to join Walker Kessler at this year’s FIBA World Cup include Michal Bridges, Galen BronsonAnthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Brandon Ingram, Jarren Jackson Jr., Bobby Portis, and Austin Reeves.
Walker Kessler at the Utah Jazz Center has committed to play for Team USA at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
Kessler made 40 starts out of 74 appearances in his rookie season with the Jazz. The 7-foot-1 center averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 23 minutes per game. He also shot 72% from the floor, 33.3% from outside the arc, and 51.6% at the foul line.
In Utah’s 121-113 loss to the Sacramento Kings on March 25, the rookie scored 31 points in 34 minutes as a starter. Besides recording 11 boards, two assists, one steal, and one block, Kessler shot 14-of-16 (87.5%) from the field and dropped three free throws.
Furthermore, in Utah’s 126-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 16, Center scored 20 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. He finished shooting 9-of-13 (69.2%) from the floor and hit two free throws in 32 minutes as a starter.
USA Team List for FIBA World Cup 2023 as per reports:
Michael Bridges
Galen Bronson
Anthony Edwards
Therese Halliburton
Brandon Ingram
Jackson Jr years.
Walker Kessler
Bobby Portis
Austin ReevesThree more players to reach a roster of up to 12 players.
– Keith Smith (KeithSmithNBA) June 15, 2023
In addition, Kessler is eighth in offensive rebounds (231), fourth in blocks (173), nineteenth in plus/minus defensive blocking (1.5), seventeenth in defensive scoring (110.8), and ninth in total percentage. rebound (19.7%).
In addition, the center ranked fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (14.9%) and second in block percentage (8.6%). For other advanced stats, Kessler has a true shooting percentage of 70.2% and a player efficiency rating of 21.5.
Will the Utah Jazz Center dominate the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023?