Jazz rookie Walker Kessler impressing early with defense, maturity

Walker Kessler has only played 12 games with the Utah Jazz, but the 22nd pick is already establishing himself as a force on the defensive end in the early going.

His coaches and teammates have taken notice, too.

Kessler is averaging 5.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots in 14.7 minutes off of the bench. Those numbers may not jump off of the page, but his per 36 minutes stats sure do: 13.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.1 blocks and 1.6 assists.

“I think his ability to defend has popped out more than anything,” Jazz veteran Mike Conley said. “He has been a guy that we rely on and trust in all facets of the game defensively and offensively. His hands and his ability to catch and finish. He is a very skilled big and kind of mature for his age.”

Kessler was a tremendous defender in college at Auburn last season. He was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 blocks and 1.1 steals. He led the SEC in blocks and ranked second among all Division I players.

He is once again emerging as a leader in blocked shots.

The 21-year-old currently leads all rookies in blocks. His 20 total swats are eighth among all players in the NBA and he is fourth in contested 2-point shots per 36 minutes (15.5). He has seven games with multiple blocks, tied for the second-most in the league.

“His instincts defensively around the rim have been tremendous helping to not only block shots, but the ones that he deters,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said. “He is growing steadily right before our eyes and he is very, very fun to coach.”

The Jazz coaching staff and Kessler have worked together quite a bit to prepare him on both ends of the floor. Studying his opponents to learn their traits and tendencies has also helped him find success in the paint to alter shots.

Of course, being 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot, 4-inch wingspan also helps.

“The more you play, the more stuff you learn,” Kessler said. “Obviously, height and length help a lot and then just knowing guys. Knowing scouts, being disciplined. If a guy shot-fakes a lot … my height and length allow me to be able to (have) a second jump off the floor. A combination of those things.”

The transition to the NBA as a big man is often difficult. The coverages are much different than in college and players are faster and more physical. He has rarely had rookie mistakes so far and has seemingly had a smooth transition.

His production, in a small role, offers a glimpse of what he can provide with more minutes. He has all of the tools to become one of the top rim protectors in the league and it seems like only a matter of until he can unlock that potential.

“He definitely has the attributes that you gotta have to be that good,” Conley said. “His ability to block and alter shots, hold down the paint — all that is going be huge for him as he gets older and more accustomed to the NBA game. I’m excited to see where he goes.”

Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire contributed to this story

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Story originally appeared on Rookie Wire