Walker Kessler hasn’t played a single minute for the Los Angeles Lakers yet, but he’s already having a pretty good week.
The big man signed a four-year, $140 million contract with the Lakers last week, arriving via a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz. The Lakers sent two first-round picks and two first-round swaps to make it happen. That’s a lot of draft capital for a 24-year-old who played only five games last season due to a shoulder injury.
But Kessler’s offseason got even better. He and his girlfriend Abbie Stockard got engaged, according to a report from the New York Post’s Thomas Murray. Stockard posted on Instagram Story with a photo and the caption, “The future Kesslers. Let’s get y’all married.”
The two first met at Auburn. And Kessler’s mom is the real MVP of this love story.
In a video posted by the NBA, Kessler explained how it all started. His parents got invited to an Alabama-Auburn basketball game by Bruce Pearl. His mom snapped a picture of a dancer on the court — that dancer was Stockard — and asked Kessler if he knew who she was. He told her she couldn’t just take pictures of random people. Classic mom move.
“Three weeks later, mom texts me, ‘Hey, I asked Bruce Pearl who that girl was. This is her name. Just so you can have it.’ I was like, ‘All right, mom.’ Might as well hit her up on Instagram,” Kessler said.
So yeah. Mom made the assist.
Last year, Stockard was crowned Miss America. Kessler made it clear how proud he was of her. And now they’re engaged, with a new NBA contract locked in, and a fresh start in Los Angeles.
Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks in those five games last season. The Lakers are betting on that production when he’s healthy. He says he’s eager to get back on the court. And honestly? A little extra motivation from a new ring on his finger probably doesn’t hurt.
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