[OhCanada-Participant]

Hes had an excellent year so far at Auburn. I’d imagine he should be somewhere on a mock draft. Such an impact player defensively 4 blocks and 1 steal per night in just 23 minutes per game. Increase that to 5 blocks per game in conference play. His quickness along with his size is very rare even in the NBA and he has a chance to be an impact rotation player at the next level. Also shown willingness to improve his game. Reminds me of Jakob Poeltl.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

good comparison… funny if I could move one guy on my big board, it would be him – next time. He has been an anchor for Auburn, including a triple double with blocks a couple weeks ago.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

You going to watch Kentucky/Auburn? It should be a war! It wouldn’t surprise me if Kentucky pull the upset, but I think Auburn’s got this. Starts 1PM eastern time!

[OhCanada-Participant]

I’ll definitely be tuning in. Tons of great matchups in this game. I like Kentucky but the games in Auburn so it would be a huge upset.

[armchairgmParticipant]

He is a late 1st to early 2 d round guy to me.

[DJSCBBBParticipant]

I definitely think he should be worth a shot as a first round pick. To me he’s similar to Cole Aldrich a guy that won a championship at Kansas picked 11th in the 2010 draft not a great NBA player. I do think Kessler has a higher ceiling.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Walker Kessler has got to be right there with Jalen Duren on boards if not ahead of him at this point right? I don’t remember seeing a big man that was as effective as him in the post, as a help defender and switching onto guards in the “Steph Curry” era. His three point shot is coming along as well, he is willing to shoot it at least.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

He should be in serious Wooden Award talk right now.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Thats actually a really good point. I never thought of that but he definitely should be.

[armchairgmParticipant]

He is def in the mid 1st to me now right outside the lottery.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Florida just upset Auburn and Walker Kessler got outplayed by Colin Castleton today. Kessler didn’t really play bad Florida was more or less making their jumpshots and staying out of the paint. He had no blocks today. Castleton looked really good, might be a guy to keep an eye on. Hes a senior big man with decent quickness.

[HitsterParticipant]

Some teams will always look at size and at 7ft 1ins 245lbs he certainly has it. He is certainly well in the mix in the second clump of bigs after the 3 near the top of the mock. He could sneak into the lottery or be a second rounder but I don’t see him falling outside of the top 40 especially as he may be less of a project than other bigs.

Whilst he may not have their upside he could be a solid rotational NBA big if things work out for him.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Smith, Holmgren and Banchero aren’t really bigs though. At least in the traditional sense. The whole intrigue around them is their versatility and ability to play multiple roles/positions. If OKC or Houston drafts Chet Holmgren I don’t think it stops them from drafting Walker Kessler or Jalen Duren with their next pick.

[HitsterParticipant]

Houston already have a number of young bigs but I fully understand what your point Oh Canada.
Holmgren is still the must intriguing prospect in my mind if he has the ability to play across 3 to 5. If he can be a stretch 4 or even a stretch 3 his size will be a bigger asset and his lack of bulk less so.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Anybody heard of Luke Apple? Dude just dropped 41 points and 10 rebounds in a winning effort, despite fouling out against Oral Roberts just now… and he came off the bench! Talk about some randomness there. Somehow he just wouldn’t miss. Doubt he’s an NBA player or anything, but whoa.

[Author]

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