First-year forward Walker Kessler announced his intentions to leave the UNC men’s basketball program and enter the transfer portal in the offseason

Kessler, who came off the bench for Carolina during this season, shared a message across his social media accounts Monday morning with his decision.

“Gratitude is all I feel for my teammates, coaches, trainers, administration and staff,” Kessler wrote. “During a very difficult year for all of us, they were able to help me to grow as a player and most importantly as a person.”

Inside Carolina reports a meeting between Kessler, his father and head coach Roy Williams on Sunday evening finalized the choice.

The 7-foot-1 forward from Newnan, Georgia, averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in limited minutes for the Tar Heels over the 2020-2021 season, appearing in all of the team’s games. A former five-star recruit, Kessler will be eligible to play immediately with whatever program he chooses.

UNC men’s basketball saw its season end on Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, as the #9 seed Wisconsin beat the #8-seeded Tar Heels 85-62. The program finished the season with an 18-11 record and sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Kessler becomes the eighth recruit to transfer from the Carolina men’s basketball program during Williams’ 18-year coaching tenure. The team saw two transfers last offseason, as Jeremiah Francis and Brandon Huffman both left UNC for New Mexico and Jacksonville State, respectively.

 

Photo via Dennis Nett.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

 

 

Related Stories
‹
On Air Today: Michael Koh on Pete Nance Joining UNC Basketball
The Hill's Brighton McConnell is joined by sports reporter Michael Koh, who discusses the news of forward Pete Nance joining the UNC men's basketball program. He shares thoughts on how Nance fits with the current Tar Heel roster and the expectations awaiting Carolina in the fall.
Chansky's Notebook: Duke vs. Carolina
The way-too-early college basketball polls are, well, way too early. Let’s guess at why almost every basketball blog out there titles their summertime predictions for the coming season Way Too Early. Maybe because they have to keep writing about college hoops through the dog days of summer and don’t know much about most of the […]
Chansky's Notebook: Performative
ECU walked the plank of UNC’s most performative victory that gave the joyful crowd a prelude to Christmas with the 99-51 win.
'I Blacked Out': Elijah Davis' Late 3-Pointer Culmination of Emotional Basketball Journey
Elijah Davis had no idea what to do. The son of UNC head coach Hubert Davis, Elijah had just flung up a long three-pointer in the waning moments of the Tar Heels’ 99-51 win against East Carolina Monday night at the Smith Center. It went in, but Davis doesn’t clearly remember the moment. “I blacked […]
UNC Men's Basketball Cruises Past East Carolina in Non-Conference Finale
UNC led by as many as 50 points against East Carolina at the Smith Center Monday night on its way to a 99-51 win. Carolina’s 99 points are its most in a game this season. HEELS WIN.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/HjgTaLBKyP — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 23, 2025 “It was really huge for us to put […]
UNC's Caleb Wilson Named ACC Freshman of the Week
After scoring 20 points in back-to-back wins against East Tennessee State and Ohio State, UNC forward Caleb Wilson was named the ACC’s Freshman of the Week Monday afternoon. ACC Freshman of the Week ☑️ 🔗 https://t.co/KmWwxRoYiW pic.twitter.com/SxoupJpsWA — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 22, 2025 Wilson’s also averaged 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per […]
Art’s Angle: Stars Stepped Up
The Carolina trio of Seth Trimble, Henri Veesar and Caleb Wilson all made critical plays in UNC's dramatic win over Ohio State on Saturday.
UNC Men's Basketball vs. East Carolina (2025): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC is back in action Monday night when it hosts East Carolina at the Smith Center. It will be the Pirates’ first visit to Chapel Hill since 2014. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio can do […]
UNC Men's Basketball Survives Ohio State Rally, Outlasts Buckeyes at CBS Sports Classic
A Henri Veesaar dunk gave UNC the lead with seven seconds left and Ohio State missed a potential game-winning three-pointer as the Tar Heels beat the Buckeyes 71-70 at the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta Saturday. HEELS WIN.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/2CRCwRCeZB — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 20, 2025 Seth Trimble provided the assist to Veesaar […]
Injured UNC Star Seth Trimble Will Return Saturday vs. Ohio State
Injured UNC star Seth Trimble will return to action when the Tar Heels face Ohio State at the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta this weekend. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander reported Trimble “is expected to be in the starting lineup.” After Inside Carolina and Field of 68 both reported Trimble would return, the UNC program confirmed […]
›