Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler Gets Honest About Lack of Recognition

Walker Kessler Opens Up About Lack of Recognition

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has voiced his frustration with the lack of recognition he’s received despite emerging as one of the team’s most promising young players. After a solid season in his third year, Kessler has continued to fly under the radar when it comes to being recognized as one of the league’s top up-and-coming big men.

Whether it’s due to the Jazz’s ongoing rebuild, their lack of team success last season, the small-market factor, or Kessler’s own early career ups and downs, he’s become one of the most underrated bigs in the NBA. Despite this, the 23-year-old had a breakout year, posting career-high numbers across the board. His strong play has positioned him for a potential rookie extension later this summer.

So, how does Kessler feel about the lack of acknowledgment for his efforts?

In an interview on the Pat Bev Podcast, he opened up about the human side of the situation. While there’s a natural sense of frustration, Kessler remains focused on what he can control.

“The ego in me obviously gets a little upset,” Kessler admitted. “The human side, I do like to be in those conversations because I know I belong in those conversations. Like you said, the stats don’t lie, but at the end of the day, I can’t control who gets talked about or what’s being said. I just have to focus on what I do—competing hard in every game, playing with intensity, and doing what it takes to help us win. That’s how I make an impact.”

Kessler continued, explaining that he doesn’t enter each season with specific statistical goals, but rather aims to be consistent and keep expanding his game.

“Going into the year, I’m not really thinking, ‘I’ve got to average this’ or ‘I’ve got to hit that,’” he said. “It’s about being myself, staying consistent in everything I do, and as the years go on, continuing to work on my game, especially on the offensive end.”

In the 2023-24 season, Kessler appeared in 58 games, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game in 30 minutes of action. While his progress has been impressive, there’s still plenty of room for growth.

As Kessler refines his offensive game and further establishes himself as a two-way presence in Utah’s frontcourt, he has the potential to solidify his place as one of the NBA’s top young big men.

For Jazz fans, it’s clear that Kessler has immense talent, both now and for the future. It may just take a little longer for the rest of the league to fully recognize his value.