UNC Basketball: Breaking down the Tar Heels’ 2020 recruiting class

Walker Kessler — Atlanta, GA

C | 7-foot | 245 lbs | No. 20 overall

Pure 7-foot centers who can adequately space the floor from three and protect the rim are hard to come by, be it at the college or professional level. Size and length are vital to defending the interior, and when you combine such physical traits with a legitimate inside-out scoring package, you have yourself quite the versatile big man.

Roy Williams snagged his versatile big in Woodward Academy’s Walker Kessler, with a surprising commitment coming after the center’s campus visit in September after being a heavy Duke lean according to the 247 Sports Crystal Ball.

The No. 4 center in the country, Kessler boasts legitimate size and skill for his position, with a refined offensive package that includes face-up jumpers (pick-and-pop, trailer, catch-and-shoot) and post-ups (ambidextrous hooks, turnarounds). His range extends well beyond the college three-point line, aided by a smooth, high release that’s nearly unblockable given his size.

He shot a respectable 35.2% from distance for his career, but showed lackluster efficiency from the foul line, converting on only 67.8% of his attempts. Drastic year-to-year inconsistency and mediocre free throw shooting are admittedly a bit worrying for his shooting projection. Inside Carolina‘s Sherrell McMillan reported earlier this month that the Georgia big is still growing, according to a source close to him, and his alleged size and length (7’1.5″ with a 7’6.5″ wingspan) has forced Kessler to adjust his mechanics.

Whatever the case, Kessler’s long-term projection is tied directly to his shot. Is he a great shooter, a good shooter, or simply average? Just how good of a shooter he is will determine his upside as an NBA prospect.

He’s more so a play finisher, as his handle is high and loose, which isn’t uncommon for someone his size. Passing isn’t necessarily in his repertoire, either, as he misses reads and has a tendency to spin into traffic and settle for contested shots. Granted, he’s improved at hitting shooters and cutters out of the high post, so further improvement should be expected.

Kessler stands as a legitimate rim deterrent and shot blocker (career 5.2 BPG) whose sheer size makes him a formidable opponent in the paint. Understandably, though, someone his size doesn’t exactly possesses graceful footwork or coordination laterally, limiting his effectiveness defending in space and recovering on hedges (though he does do a good job of halting ball-handlers when he gets into his stance). He isn’t weak by any means, but gaining core and lower body strength would benefit him in various aspects of his game.

For a team that badly needs spacing, Walker Kessler provides just that, serving as a picturesque complement to Garrison Brooks on both offense and defense. Though it isn’t clear how long the top-20 recruit will stay in Chapel Hill — more on that on the next slide! — he’ll certainly benefit the Tar Heels for however long that may be.