We’ll see how well Walker Kessler does under pressure.
You know how close Kessler was to returning for his sophomore season at Carolina. Twice, not once, he told Hubert Davis he was coming back, only to turn around and commit to Auburn.
Who knows what Bruce Pearl told Kessler or offered the family, but according to the flamboyant War Eagles coach it was more about being less than an hour from his home in Georgia than anything else.
Then there is the family lake home even closer to the Auburn campus and an older brother who is a lawyer in the university town. But as opposed to how 5-star recruits are downplayed at UNC to take the pressure off them, the orange spotlight is already on Kessler.
Pearl, who has painted himself up like a clown to build school spirit, fashions himself as an artist when it comes to his new 7-footer. “I’m just excited to get my hands on a piece of clay,” Pearl said. “He’s a 7-foot-1 stretch five-man who will be a joy to play-call for and utilize as a mismatch.”
That may be true because Kessler has already had one year under Roy Williams competing against three other big men who were better than he was, which is why he didn’t play much for the Tar Heels. But Kessler has already been penciled in as a starter for Pearl, who isn’t holding back.
“He can step out and shoot the 3-ball,” Pearl said. The pressure will be on to prove he can because Kessler couldn’t make them in practice at UNC, which is why he never shot them in games.
“He can put the ball on the floor. He can pass. He moves really well,” Pearl added. “Right now, it’s still about player development.”
Bingo. The Auburn coach got that one right. Don’t you think if Kessler could do all of those things well against same-size guys on the college level, he would have averaged more than 8.8 minutes a game?
Where Ol’ Roy was actually protecting the young athlete as he developed, Pearl will throw him into the fire from day one. The basketball world will be watching to see how that works out.
If he doesn’t become the instant star that Pearl is projecting him to be, the kid could wind up under more pressure than ever playing the game that once came so easy to him.
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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
