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Timberwolves’ Walker Kessler Honoring Grandfather With Jersey Number

When the Timberwolves drafted forward Walker Kessler with pick No. 22 in the first round of the NBA, it meant more than just adding a player. Kessler is officially returning to Minnesota to play basketball in the city where his grandfather once grew up in and played basketball at the University of Minnesota.

Additionally, his dad and uncle were both born in Minnesota, but played their college basketball at Georgia.

To honor his grandfather, Kessler is choosing to wear his grandfather’s No. 31 with the Timberwolves.

Kessler is very aware how unique an opportunity he has to be playing in a city with familial connections.

“God works in mysterious ways, so to be here now is really cool,” Kessler said, via NBA.com.

After a year at North Carolina, Kessler transferred to Auburn where he had a breakout sophomore season. Kessler averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks a game in 34 games with the Tigers, earning the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award last season.

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