Michigan Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing the Wolverines’ top targets

Walker Kessler – Atlanta, GA

C | 6-foot-10 | 225 lbs | No. 16 overall

Another highly-touted center in this class, Walker Kessler is an elite post presence on the offensive end of the floor. With a variety of moves that are nearly impossible to stop around the basket, he is quite deadly. Kessler’s impeccable footwork makes it easy for him to be an impactful big and he also fits the modern game tremendously well due to his ability to stretch the floor out to 3-point range. Although he does not bring elite-tier height to the position, he is already well-built and should be a solid rebounder and defender at the college level. There is very little question about his ability to make an impact.

With regards to his recruitment, many viewed Georgia as a major threat due to his many connections to the program. The Bulldogs, though, were cut from his final six and now new players have joined the game. At this moment, his list consists of Auburn, California, Duke, Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Michigan. This is clearly a conglomeration of some of the top programs across the nation and this will be a hard-fought recruiting battle for all. Duke currently holds the vast majority of crystal ball predictions with eight.

With Jon Teske graduating after this coming season, it makes sense that Michigan is in the market for an instant-impact big man. That is exactly what Kessler would be able to bring to the table and his versatile game should be able to fit within just about any system. He is an excellent modern center and can be someone who an offense runs through on occasion.