Auburn center Walker Kessler declares himself for the 2022 NBA draft

Auburn center Walker Kessler declares himself for the 2022 NBA draft, he announced on Sunday. The Athletics Sam Vecenie lists Kessler as No. 18 on his latest Big Board and predicts he will be drafted No. 26 overall in his 2022 NBA Mock Draft.

Kessler, 20, was named both Naismith and NABC National Defensive Player of the Year this season. The sophomore averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks for the 2021-22 campaign.

“I am forever grateful to my former and current teammates, whom I have the honor to call my brothers,” Kessler said via Twitter.

The Georgia native joined Auburn after his freshman season as a transfer from North Carolina.

(Photo: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)