Walker, Kessler Ranger
FEATURING: Walker Kessler | Prelude: Center of Intention | Stephen's Storylines: NBA Early Entrants, Enter the Transfer Portal, & Players Ready to Report | Weekend Warrior: Shaedon Sharpe
The Center of Intention
The center position is often criticized in basketball. You have those that feel like it’s a dying breed of sorts. There is a belief that the position is one of the easiest to replace. The implementation of small ball, or “Death Lineups,” has cast an enormous shadow over the importance of investing in a big man. The Phoenix Suns—fresh off of a Finals appearance—decided to roll the dice by coming into Deandre Ayton’s last season under his rookie deal without offering him a contract extension. Despite playing a pivotal role in their success last season and the current one, James Jones and company elected to extend forward Mikal Bridges over their big man with the real chance that they move on from him in the offseason. The logic: it’s more difficult to find what Bridges does vice what a player like Ayton brings to a team.
Look. There may be a lot of evidence to support that take; however, it feels that this specific situation where moving on from a center could be the correct decision is carelessly applied to the position at large. What I mean by that is, maybe it’s okay—nay—maybe it’s more forward-thinking to invest in a big that can immediately contribute and address a team need. Teams like the Charlotte Hornets, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Detroit Pistons are teams that could use an instant punch to their “Five” rotation. At the same time, a few other teams may need to shore up the position this offseason.
If that is the case, where are all of these teams going to get a significant contributor? The age-old saying is: “You can always add a center in free agency.” Can you? The upcoming class of centers includes the following players: Jusuf Nurkic, Deandre Ayton, Serge Ibaka, Ivica Zubac, Hassan Whiteside, Andre Drummond, Mitchell Robinson, and DeMarcus Cousins. Sound solid in theory. However, Nurkic is often injured, and the Blazers have Bird Rights on him. History has shown that the Blazers prioritize keeping their free agents. Deandre Ayton is a Restricted Free Agent and still may stay in Phoenix. Serge Ibaka will be 33 next season and barely plays on a good team. Ivica Zubac has a team option on his deal, so teams shouldn’t bank on his availability. Whiteside, Drummond, and Cousins have shown that they can contribute as rotational bigs. Robinson routinely misses playing time with injury and has yet to live up to his potential.
So, what can these teams do? Should they play free agency roulette and wait to see who’s available? The risk with that is that all of the previously-listed risks could result in a team signing a stop-gap big and trying their luck next season. There are no immediate or long-term implications if that happens. Drafting a center is also a risk. However, drafting a center allows a team to have a rotational player for several seasons (depending on what round they are selected) and gives teams long-term flexibility with Bird Right and Restricted Free Agency (both allow teams to go over the salary cap and can keep them on their roster longer). The dilemma (or benefit) with this draft class is the ambiguity that exists in the ranking of the center prospects.
The difficulty and consistency of ranking the big men in this class has been chronicled throughout this season. Our own Albert Ghim even wrote about it in January. Depending on what you look for in a big man, you can fantasize about Chet Holmgren, Jalen Duren, Mark Williams, Ismael Kamagate, and Christian Koloko. Yet, there is another name that has been in that mix all season long: Walker Kessler.
In the Eyes of a Ranger
“‘Cause the eyes of a ranger are upon you; any wrong you do, he’s gonna see.”
-Walker, Texas Ranger theme song
Being honest, the selection of the “Walker, Texas Ranger” theme was simply born out of having a catchy title, but the lyrics from this 90’s hit television show are more fitting to Walker Kessler’s game than one may initially realize. This is not to say that Kessler will develop into the Chuck Norris of basketball, but his game is intimidating to those thinking they can wreak havoc on his court.
The Case for Kessler
At Auburn, the Tigers were able to recruit Jabari Smith Jr.—a player that may be the top pick in the draft. They were also able to recruit Walker Kessler via the transfer portal. Kessler had an unassuming role for the North Carolina Tarheels, being a part of a rotation of bigs in which none were afforded the opportunity to cement their standing among the best in college basketball. Coach Bruce Pearl gave Walker a prominent role as an at-rim finisher, screener, and one of the most intimidating shot blockers that the NCAA D-I ranks have ever seen—and that’s not hyperbole.
Despite there being some concerns regarding Kessler’s foot speed, he has shown his defensive awareness throughout the season. According to Barttorvik’s database—which dates back to 2008—Walker Kessler is tied for the highest block percentage of any college player ever. The names that follow aren’t exactly the best of company in evaluating the importance of this stat, with Larry Sanders being the only former first-round pick in the Top 25 (co-shares the block percentage record with Kessler) of Block Percentage leaders.
Per Synergy, Kessler ranks in the 69th percentile in defending Isolation plays, in the 67th Percentile in defending post-ups, and in the 63rd percentile in defending the pick-and-roll man. His defensive analytics also support what the film shows, in that Walker has solid recoverability when opponents attack the rim. Kessler’s ability to flip his hips and turn over his should to relocate the ball handler may be one of his best traits, albeit it is not a “sexy” topic of conversation. The numbers, again, correlate with the film. Whether he’s recovering from the post or helping off his man to negate drive to the hoop, his unique ability to see the floor and his man, the length he possesses (a reported 7’5” wingspan), and his footwork make him a highly desirable rim-protecting prospect for his class.
His metrics and measurables don’t stop on the defensive side of the ball. On the offensive side of things, Kessler just so happens to be one of the best finishers for his position.
While being a historical collegiate shot-blocker, Walker finished the season with 79 dunks (7th in the nation; behind draft prospects Mark Williams [96] and Christian Koloko [84]) and on 97.5% of his dunk attempts (behind prospects Chet Holmgren [100% on 57 attempts]). While being an excellent finisher on his dunk attempts, Kessler finished in the 95th percentile in transition, in the 89th percentile in cutting, and in the 79th percentile while operating as the pick-and-roll man. When rolling to the basket, he finished in the 99th percentile. Given his film, along with his rankings among these major offensive categories, Kessler profiles as being more than simply being a stationary, plodding center.
On top of his qualifications that serve as minimum requirements for being an NBA big man, Kessler has shown the desire to improve as a stretch big. His percentiles aren’t sexy; Walker shot 20% from deep on 50 total attempts, and was a 59.6% free throw shooter. His shooting motion is reminiscent of a trebuchet launching a pumpkin, but the fact that Kessler has shown the confidence and desire to become a reliable option from deep indicates that he’ll work on improving that aspect of his game. Teams will want to experiment in improving his jumper as well.
“When you’re in” the paint “look behind you; ‘Cause that’s where the ranger’s gonna be.”
-Walker, Texas Ranger theme song (with minor adjustments).
Stephen’s Storylines
Early NBA Draft Entrants:
As we continue to march towards the draft, we are seeing more and more prospects declare for the NBA Draft. We’ll continue to provide the players that have declared, starting with the ones that have declared since the last Sunday’s issuance of “The Weekend Warrior” article. There will be a line of demarcation between the ones that were named last week. Here they are:
Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | Wing | Senior
Mouhamed Gueye | Washington State | Big | Freshman
Gui Santos | Minas | Wing
Jalen Wilson | Kansas | Forward | Sophomore
Johnny Juzang | UCLA | Wing | Junior
Ismael Kamagate | Paris Basket | Big
Leonardo Okeke | Junior Casale | Big
Kris Murray | Iowa | Forward | Sophomore
Kofi Cockburn | Illinois | Big | Junior
Gabriele Procida | Fortitudo | Wing
Wendell Moore Jr. | Duke | Perimeter | Junior
Hyunjung Lee | Davidson | Wing | Junior
Dalen Terry | Arizona | Perimeter | Sophomore
Mark Williams | Duke | Big | Sophomore
Paolo Banchero | Duke | Forward | Freshman
Ziga Samar | Fuenlabrada | Guard
Shaedon Sharpe | Kentucky | Wing | Freshman
Hugo Besson | New Zealand | Guard
Ousmane Dieng | New Zealand | Wing
Fedor Zugic | ULM | Wing
Scotty Pippen Jr. | Vanderbilt | Guard | Junior
Matteo Spagnolo | Vanoli Cremona | Guard
Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | Big | Freshman
Jalen Duren | Memphis | Big | Freshman
Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | Forward | Sophomore
Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee | Forward | Freshman
Christian Koloko | Arizona | Big | Junior
Alondes Williams | Wake Forest | Perimeter | Senior
*Names from Last Week*
Dyson Daniels | Ignite | Perimeter
Justin Lewis | Marquette | Forward | Sophomore
Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | Forward | Freshman
JD Davison | Alabama | Guard | Freshman
Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | Wing | Sophomore
Malcolm Cazalon | Mega Basket | Perimeter
Nikola Jovic | Mega Basket | Forward
Terquavion Smith | North Carolina State | Guard | Freshman
Ryan Rollins | Toledo | Guard | Freshman
Peyton Watson | UCLA | Forward | Freshman
Isaiah Mobley | USC | Forward | Junior
Efe Abogidi | Washington State | Big | Sophomore
Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | Big | Junior
Jaylin Williams | Arkansas | Big | Sophomore
Jabari Smith Jr. | Auburn | Forward | Freshman
Walker Kessler | Auburn | Big | Sophomore
Kennedy Chandler | Tennessee | Guard | Freshman
TyTy Washington Jr. | Kentucky | Guard | Freshman
Isiaih Mosley | Missouri State | Guard | Junior
Tyler Burton | Richmond | Wing | Junior
David Roddy | Colorado State | Forward | Junior
Drew Timme | Gonzaga | Big | Junior
Marcus Sasser | Houston | Guard | Junior
Keion Brooks Jr. | Kentucky | Wing | Junior
Nijel Pack | Kansas State | Guard | Sophomore
Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Louisiana Tech | Big | Sophomore
Tari Eason | LSU | Forward | Sophomore
Josh Minott | Memphis | Forward | Freshman
Iverson Molinar | Mississippi State | Guard | Junior
Bryce McGowens | Nebraska | Wing | Freshman
Blake Wesley | Notre Dame | Guard | Freshman
EJ Liddell | Ohio State | Big | Junior
Jordan Hall | Saint Joseph’s | Perimeter | Sophomore
Baylor Scheierman | South Dakota State | Wing | Junior
Kevin McCullar | Texas Tech | Perimeter | Junior
Kendall Brown | Baylor | Forward | Freshman
Jabari Walker | Colorado | Forward | Sophomore
Keegan Murray | Iowa | Forward | Sophomore
Jake LaRavia | Wake Forest | Wing | Junior
Mike Miles Jr. | TCU | Guard | Sophomore
Harrison Ingram | Stanford | Forward | Freshman
Aminu Mohammed | Georgetown | Guard | Freshman
Jalen Williams | Santa Clara | Wing | Junior
Jaden Ivey | Purdue | Guard | Sophomore
Jonathan Davis | Wisconsin | Guard | Sophomore
Max Christie | Michigan State | Guard | Freshman
Malaki Branham | Ohio State | Guard | Freshman
Dereon Seabron | North Carolina State | Perimeter | Sophomore
Julian Champagnie | St. John’s | Wing | Junior
Enter the Transfer Portal:
Like the players who are continuing to declare for the Draft, there have been more prospects looking to potentially play for another school. We’ll separate the players who have declared since last Sunday from the players listed last week. Here they are (BOLDED players have transferred to another team):
Yuri Collins | St. Louis | Guard | Sophomore
Tyrese Hunter | Iowa State | Guard | Freshman
Shakeel Moore | Mississippi State | Guard | Sophomore
Keonte Kennedy | UTEP | Guard | Sophomore
David Jones | DePaul | Forward | Sophomore
Tre Mitchell | Texas | Big | Junior
AJ Green | Northern Iowa | Guard | Junior
Ricky Council IV | Wichita State | Perimeter | Freshman
Jarron Coleman | Missouri | Guard | Junior
*Names from Last Week*
Emoni Bates | Memphis | Wing | Freshman
DJ Jeffries | Mississippi State | Forward | Junior
Grant Sherfield | Nevada | Guard | Junior
Devonaire Doutrive | Boise State | Guard | Grad Transfer
Antoine Davis | Detroit Mercy | Guard | Senior
Kendric Davis | SMU | Guard | Senior
Jordan Nesbitt | St. Louis | Wing | Freshman
Akok Akok | UConn | Forward | Junior
Dawson Garcia | UNC | Forward | Sophomore
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield | Tennessee | Big | Sophomore
Emmanuel Akot | Boise State | Wing | Grad Transfer
Adam Miller | LSU | Guard | Sophomore
Eric Gaines | LSU | Guard | Sophomore
Jahmir Young | Charlotte | Guard | Junior
KJ Williams | Murray State | Big | Junior
Bennett Vander Plas | Ohio | Forward | Grad Transfer
Landers Nolley II | Memphis | Forward | Junior
Noah Williams | Washington State | Guard | Junior
Dre Davis | Louisville | Perimeter | Sophomore
Doug Edert | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior
Matthew Lee | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior
Daryl Banks III | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior
Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Louisiana Tech | Big | Sophomore
Jalen Bridges | West Virginia | Forward | Sophomore (R.S)
Jaiden Delaire | Stanford | Forward | Grad Transfer
Joseph Bamisile | George Washington | Guard | Sophomore
Fardaws Aimaq | Utah Valley | Big | Junior (R.S)
Will Richard | Belmont | Guard | Freshman
Trevon Brazile | Missouri | Forward | Freshman
Brandon Murray | LSU | Guard | Freshman
Xavier Pinson | LSU | Guard | Grad Transfer
Terrence Shannon Jr. | Texas Tech | Wing | Junior
Samuell Williamson | Louisville | Wing | Junior
Andre Curbelo | Illinois | Guard | Sophomore
Nelly Cummings | Colgate | Guard | Grad Transfer
Manny Bates | North Carolina State | Big | Junior
Earl Timberlake | Memphis | Guard | Sophomore
Nijel Pack | Kansas State | Guard | Sophomore
Mark Sears | Ohio | Guard | Sophomore
Efton Reid | LSU | Big | Freshman
Courtney Ramey | Texas | Guard | Graduate
Alex Fudge | LSU | Wing | Freshman
Ready to Report:
As the days have passed over the past week, many of the players who declared for the transfer portal have committed to play for new universities. Let’s take a look at who will be sporting new colors:
Yuri Collins: Withdrew from the portal; will return to Saint Louis
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield: From Tennessee to Louisville
Daryl Banks III: From St. Peter’s to St. Bonaventure
Kendric Davis: From SMU to Memphis
Bennett Vander Plas: From Ohio to Virginia
Nijel Pack: From Kansas State to Miami
Dawson Garcia: From North Carolina to Minnesota
Jalen Bridges: From West Virginia to Baylor
Terrence Shannon Jr.: From Texas Tech to Michigan
Earl Timberlake: From Memphis to Bryant University
Andre Curbelo: From Illinois to St. John’s
Doug Edert: From Saint Peter’s to Bryant University
Will Richard: From Belmont to Florida
Eric Gaines: From LSU to UAB
Trevon Brazile: From Missouri to Arkansas
Nelly Cummings: From Colgate to Pittsburgh
Mark Sears: From Ohio to Alabama
Alex Fudge: From LSU to Florida
Samuell Williamson: From Louisville to SMU
Brandon Murray: From LSU to Georgetown
Joseph Bamisile: From George Washington to Oklahoma
Noah Williams: From Washington State to Washington
Warrior of the Week: Shaedon Sharpe
What a strange week it has been in the “will he, won’t he” storyline that has hung over the head of Kentucky commit Shaedon Sharpe. We’ve gone through the reports early in the season that Sharpe would have to essentially request an application to be considered for the NBA following his season at Lexington, should he opt to go pro. Those reports were shortly followed by Kentucky coach John Calipari stating that the plan with Shaedon had been for him to return for another season—and that seemingly always had been the plan. We would eventually get more publicity on Shaedon being seen more with the team; Sharpe has been seen in layup lines performing dunks, wearing warmup gear, practicing with the team, etc. The approach in interpreting what would be best for him by the draft community has been as far apart as anything that takes place within it.
In mid-January, Sam Vecenie and Kyle Tucker of The Athletic detailed the stipulations that would need to be met in order for Sharpe and his camp so that Sharpe could successfully declare for the NBA Draft.
“How would Sharpe be eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft? There is a two-pronged criteria test for NBA Draft eligibility for college players. The first is age. Sharpe turns 19 on May 30, 2022, which fulfills the stipulation that the player must turn 19 in the calendar year of the draft.”
“The other prong Sharpe needs to fulfill is that “at least one NBA season has elapsed since the player’s graduation from high school.” In unique situations like this one, the NBA typically does not rule on academic transcripts until the player actually applies for the draft, and thus no official determination has been made by the league. Until the NBA league office reviews that information and clears it, it’s not an absolute certainty that Sharpe is eligible.”
- Sam Vecenie and Kyle Tucker of The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3083411/2022/01/20/whats-next-for-kentucky-shaedon-sharpe-with-nba-draft-decision-looming/
Vecenie and Tucker went on to mention that these details were not catching anyone off guard. Again, this was nearly three months ago. The approval from the NBA league office on the conditions of Shaedon Sharpe’s graduation date is what’s next in the process of him going pro.
Along with this tweet from Sharpe, there has been no shortage of film to suggest that he is putting in the work to make a serious run at the NBA.
While it seems like the intent is to go pro, the matter of whether the league will accept Sharpe’s eligibility due to being one year removed from high school is looming. As you might have seen in the Tweet above, Sharpe will maintain his collegiate eligibility. Will he return to Kentucky? He has reportedly registered for summer and fall classes. Time will tell if it’s a legitimate option for him to return or merely a formality. The previously-mentioned Kyle Tucker wrote another article on April 21st, chronicling the “circus” that has been the Shaedon Sharpe experience at Kentucky.
Tucker includes a ton of information that is worth checking out, and the inference one might take away from this piece is that Sharpe’s time in a Kentucky uniform is likely over—should the NBA allow him to be drafted or not. Should the “not” occur…it’s simply too much to speculate without adequate information to go on. Until the NBA has reached a decision, the draft community is essentially left to where it was in the first place: waiting.
Good stuff! Just a heads up, Mike Miles is returning to TCU: https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1513658578531463168