Three Reasons Why Walker Kessler Might Be The Coolest Guy in Utah
For those who may be out of the NBA loop this year, the Utah Jazz are not a great basketball team.
Despite winning their last two games, they currently have 9 wins in 34 games and own a bottom 5 record in the NBA.
However, just because the Jazz have underperformed as a young rebuilding team, doesn’t mean each member of the Jazz is relegated to the same fate.
In fact, multiple individual performances by players have been small bright spots in a season full of struggle.
Walker Kessler, the 3rd year Center out of Auburn, is responsible for a lot of those small bright spots this season.
Shaking out of a sophomore slump, Kessler has reemerged as a key piece of Utah’s future and a player worth watching on and off the hardwood.
So let’s check out three reasons why the man nicknamed “the sheriff” is a top dog in the beehive state.
1. Money
Listen, I know money is a frivolous, self centered topic, perhaps even the root of all evil, but all the cool cats have ample change to support their hip lifestyle.
Kessler is no exception.
Still on his rookie contract, the 22nd overall pick from 2022 is in the midst of a 4 year $13,372,418 dollar contract, with a guarantee of $5,527,560 bucks. (Spotrac.com)
Even more so, Kessler is up for a contract extension if the Jazz so choose before next season tips off, and based on recent play, the Jazz could pay up.
The former All-Rookie fits nicely into both Utah’s timeline and needs and could potentially command near a 4 year, $97 million dollar deal according to Ben Anderson of KSL Sports.
Anderson also mentions that it wouldn't be a shocker to see the Jazz “counter with a contract similar to Toronto's Jakob Poetl who signed a 4-year, $78 million deal in 2023.” (Ben Anderson, kslsports.com)
Either way, Kessler seems primed for a massive raise, and whether we like to admit or not, that’s worth two cool points.
2. Girlfriend
Not only is Walker Kessler getting it done on the hardwood, he’s also found a gal who seems to rival his success, which is worth 3 cool points.
Kessler’s girlfriend, Abbie Stockard, is an Auburn Cheerleader, a current nursing student, and as of yesterday Miss America.
Representing Alabama, Stockard surpassed 51 other candidates to take home top honors and a 50,000 tuition scholarship.
Here is Coach Will Hardy and Walker Kessler watching it all unfold:
3. Trend Setter
The topic is self-explanatory.
Kessler is currently doing what no other player has done in NBA history.
With current totals of 10.4 points per game and 11.2 rebounds a game, equating in a double double average, Kessler is also a top dog in terms of blocks and field goal percentage.
As per the info above, Kessler would be the first person to ever put up numbers like that in under 30 minutes a night if those stats hold until year’s end.
His impact and efficiency has been instant this year, making him arguably the best part of Utah’s season up to this point.
Statistics aside, he also gets to be a part of a Jazz team that debut’s these beauties tonight against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:00 Utah time.
Talented and fashionable is worth 5 extra cool points.
In conclusion, Kessler accumulated a total of 10 cool points, which on my fictitious scale places him firmly in the top 53 of coolest people currently residing in the state (#1 if we use High School criteria).
Of course, he currently is slotted into the standings right behind you for reading this article.