Auburn basketball: Walker Kessler sets record in NBA debut

As Auburn basketball is gearing up for the start of the season with multiple scrimmages and exhibition games, two former players are starting their rookie season in the NBA. Jabari Smith Jr. debuted on Wednesday night for the Houston Rockets, and Walker Kessler played for the Utah Jazz.

Smith and the Rockets began the season with a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, and ultimately lost 117-107. However, Smith had a relatively successful first game with 17 points, seven rebounds, and one assist in 33 minutes played. He shot at 27.3 percent from behind the arc and 35.3 percent from the field. The Rockets will be looking to pick up their first win against the Grizzlies this Friday.

Meanwhile, Kessler’s rookie debut resulted in a 123-102 Jazz victory over the Denver Nuggets. Kessler recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one steal. The center made history, becoming the first NBA first-year player to ever record a double-double in his debut.

While he made only two of six free throws for 33.3 percent, Kessler was 5-5 from the field, shooting at 100 percent during his 24 minutes of NBA action. Kessler had a blast during his first professional game, per AL.com:

"“That’s pretty neat,” Kessler told the Utah Jazz Radio Network from courtside after the game. “Man, that was a blast. We had so many scorers. I don’t know how many we had in double figures — at least six or seven.”"

After a record-setting season with Auburn basketball last year as the 2022 Naismith and NABC D1 National Defensive Player of the Year, Kessler was the 22nd draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft to the Memphis Grizzlies, but was almost immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Later in the summer, Kessler, along with shooting guard Malik Beasley, shooting guard Patrick Beverley, power forward Jarred Vanderbilt, and small forward Leandro Bolmaro, was traded to the Utah Jazz in return for Rudy Gobert. Kessler and the Jazz next play this Friday against the Timberwolves.