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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top-20 prospect Walker Kessler’s recruiting options

By Daniel Benjamin

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: A Final Four basketball goes through the hoop during practice ahead of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on March 31, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: A Final Four basketball goes through the hoop during practice ahead of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on March 31, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils shouts against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils shouts against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Are Duke and Georgia the leading contenders for class of 2020prospect Walker Kessler? Here are the eight NCAA Basketball teams vying for his services.

Five-star big man Walker Kessler has been busy lately. The 6’11” high school junior just completed an in-home visit with Michigan’s coaching staff on April 30, which came a day after receiving a visit from Auburn’s Bruce Pearl and his charges, per Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.com.

Kessler is a highly touted versatile prospect who is very mobile and possesses an impressive skill set, particularly in the post.  He has outstanding hands and can score with either one around the rim as he owns a deft touch. Kessler plays hard and is also an outstanding rebounder.

While he has a lot of strengths, Kessler is far from being a finished product. He needs to increase his range and put on weight and strength on his 235-pound frame.

The Fairburn (Ga.) native is a consensus top-20 national prospect. He is ranked 18th in the class by Rivals, 17th by 247Sports Composite, and 15th by ESPN. Meanwhile, 247Sports has him as the 13th best prospect in the country for the class of 2020.

Kessler had an outstanding prep campaign in 2018-19. The MaxPreps Boys Basketball Junior All-American honorable mention selection compiled 21.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.4 blocks per game while leading Woodward Academy (22-9) to the Georgia state semifinals. He shot 57% from the floor, 33% (30-91) and 69% from the free throw line. Kessler also registered 19 double-doubles and five triple-doubles.

He owns 23 scholarship offers total with all of those being from power-7 schools.  Kessler has family ties to Georgia with his father (Chad), uncle (Alec) and brother (Houston) all suiting up for the Bulldogs, according to USA Today. However, he seems to be open to other schools and has said that, along with Georgia, Duke, Virginia, UNC, Auburn, and Michigan have been the most vigorous in his recruitment. Tennessee and Vanderbilt also appear to be in the mix.

Kessler has already taken official visits to Duke, Virginia, Michigan, and Vanderbilt. But since he has decided to not to re-classify to the class of 2019, Kessler will be able to take five more official visits once he officially becomes a senior.

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