ATLANTA – As postseason play nears, Auburn sophomore forward/center Walker Kessler (Newnan, Ga.) is now one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy Men's Defensive Player of the Year Award as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Tuesday.
He is on the final ballot along with Gonzaga freshman center Chet Holmgren, Kentucky freshman forward Oscar Tshiebwe and Duke sophomore center Mark Williams.
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year and All-SEC First Team selection, Kessler enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 shot blocker in the country averaging 4.5 blocks per game and the only NCAA Division I player with two triple-doubles on the season.