Walker Kessler was mired in a little bit of an offensive slump over the last five games. The Utah Jazz rookie broke out of it in a big way Saturday.

The 21-year-old had averaged just 8.8 points per game over the last five before erupting for 31 points against the Sacramento Kings. The Auburn product dominated inside the paint against a Kings side lacking a true interior defender. He scored all 14 of his made baskets in the shaded lane with several dunks and alley-oop finishes.

Known mainly for his defensive prowess, Walker Kessler looked more like an offensive juggernaut against the Kings in the vein of a 90s star center. Truly enough, his standout performance as a rookie hasn't been seen since Shaq way back in the 1992-93 season.

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The Jazz have fast-tracked their rebuild thanks to some savvy maneuvering from the front office, turning their middling previous core of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert into a team flush with youth and draft capital.

While Lauri Markkanen's ascension has been the biggest boon for Utah, Walker Kessler's emergence as a legitimate defensive force in the same vein as Rudy Gobert (on a rookie contract!) is arguably a clear second.

In Gobert's nine seasons with the Jazz, the Frenchman only managed to eclipse the 30-point plateau once in over 600 games. He came into the league the same age as Kessler and was still very much a raw prospect. Walker has shown advanced polish after two college seasons and will only get better as he gains experience in a Jazz uniform.