With each NBA season comes new player rankings and analysis in the league’s media, and with the 2024-2025 season quickly approaching, this year is no different.

Now that we’re just over a week away from the start of a new season, we’ve seen several outlets come to light with their latest rankings ahead of the new year, the latest commencement rolling out ESPN with their annual top 100 player list. And according to them, the state of the league and its top talent looks a little different than this time a year ago.

Although we don’t know the full extent of the list from one to 100 as ESPN gradually dropping his rankings leading up to the top spot, we know that not only did a fifth of last season’s rankings not appear in this year’s rankings, but one of the Utah Jazz’s best young players fell off the list and instead on a category just outside the top 100, called ‘on the threshold’.

That player was third-year Jazz center Walker Kessler, who is having an up-and-down sophomore season after a strong rookie campaign. ESPN writer Kevin Pelton delved into a bit of what he sees in Kessler, and how he could potentially rise back to the top 100 this time next year.

“Kessler’s rim protection, the strength of his game, was just as effective as it was during his rookie season,” Pelton said. “Opponents made just 51% of shots within 5 feet when Kessler was the primary defender, and the third lowest among qualifying players. The problem in 2023-2024 was that Kessler’s 2-point percentage dropped from 72 % to 68%, as well as his fit with forward John Collins. As Utah focuses on player development, I expect the 23-year-old Kessler to be favored over Collins, who is entering the final season of his contract.”

Along with Kessler, both John Collins and Jordan Clarkson were nowhere to be found at spots 100-51, indicating that Utah is left with two more candidates ESPNs list complete this year.

Kessler came in 70th last year ESPN but now lands in the same tier as Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. Both are quality players, but you’d like to see one of the Jazz’s top young players on the roster work his way up the ranks.

He finished last season averaging 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, which was strikingly similar to his rookie year stats but still fell short of the second-season jump that many expected to see in the first round of 2022. . However, as Utah continues to lean on their youth and rebuild the movement, we can expect an upward trend for Kessler.

Having started pre-season with a spot in the starting five, the 23-year-old has started his third-year campaign with a fresh look as a defender and domestic presence, and appears to be on the right track to rebuilding his reputation as a player. one of the league’s best young big prospects.

Keep an eye on Walker Kessler as he may be in for a huge rebound season.

To follow Inside The Jazz on Facebook And Twitter/X.

Subscribe on YouTube for the latest jazz news videos and live streams!