Like Simone Fontecchio and Ochai Agbaji, Walker Kessler launched his NBA career last night on the Canadian floor in Edmonton. A first preseason game largely lost by the Jazz against the Raptors, which mainly served as a laboratory for rookie coach Will Hardy, who played his entire workforce.
Among the most prominent players off the bench, the rookie pivot of the Jazz offered a satisfactory copy for his first, with 11 points (5/7) and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes.
However, it was not won to believe the 22nd choice of the Draft 2022, logically invaded by stage fright when embarking on the deep end. ” I was very nervous approaching my entrance to the field, my legs were shaking. But everything went well, I can’t wait to continue. »
His coach, for whom it was also a great first on the bench, in any case draws a lot of positives from the beginnings of the former Auburn defense control tower.
” It was a classic first match for a young » thus summed up Will Hardy. ” He alternated between very good passages, and others that reminded him that he is now in the NBA. But overall, building on what he’s produced so far at our training camp, I’m very happy with Walker. […] He’s going to spend some time watching the video, but I think there’s a really good foundation he’s going to capitalize on. »
In conclusion, Walker Kessler summarizes the not always easy transition to manage for young interiors, between the NCAA and the NBA. ” I think it’s mainly defensively that I have to make adjustments. The guys here are way more athletic and beefy [en comparaison à la NCAA], so I have to be more vertical. But it will come with experience, I’m not worried he concluded.
