Walker Kessler
Banchero was actually two first-place votes shy of becoming a unanimous Rookie of the Year. The fellow who got that pair of votes? A World Cup teammate who’s raring to add All-Star player to his own resume.
Four of the five players on this list make explosive contributions to the offensive end of the floor. Walker Kessler, meanwhile, does all the dirty work on defense – in other words, all the workhorse stuff that gets NBA coaches pumped. At the end of last season, the Jazz center finished 4th in blocks per game, 8th in offensive rebounds, and 9th in total rebound percentage. For good measure, he was named to the All-Rookie first team alongside Banchero.
If Kessler doesn’t look like the type to don an All-Star jersey, remember that impact players like Ben Wallace have earned that honor in the past. Plus, imagine how his defensive intensity will impact the notoriously bloated offense typically seen in All-Star games. Now that would be a welcome addition!
But if the offense is a non-negotiable for you, look no further than Kessler’s career game against the Sacramento Kings in late March. That night, Kessler poured in 31 points on a steady diet of lob passes, rim runs, and putbacks. Even on offense, this future All-Star won’t stop grinding.