Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith received NBA Rookie Honors

Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith received All-Rookie accolades for their impressive first seasons in the NBA.

Andrew Stefaniak | May 8, 2023

Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith received NBA Rookie Honors /

In this story:

The NBA just put out the All-Rookie Teams, and Walker Kessler made the first team, with Jabari Smith making the second team.

Both Smith and Kessler had terrific rookie seasons, but Kessler exceeded expectations by a wide margin.

Kessler was also a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award but was edged out by Paolo Banchero.

Smith had a rough start to the season shooting the ball but slowly figured it out and finished strong.

The Rockets hired a new coach that will hopefully help scheme an offense that better suits Smith than the previous coach.

Both of these two have long careers ahead of them, and these All-Rookie honors will not be the only accolades Smith and Kessler receive in their careers.

Auburn was the only school that had multiple players make the All-Rookie Team this season, which shows how far this program has come.

Congrats to these two former Auburn Tigers who have made a name for themselves in the NBA, earning All-Rookie Team honors.

It's safe to say Kessler and Smith will have big seasons next year now that they have a year in the NBA under their belt.

The 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team!

▪️ Paolo Banchero (@OrlandoMagic)
▪️ Walker Kessler (@utahjazz)
▪️ Bennedict Mathurin (@Pacers)
▪️ Keegan Murray (@SacramentoKings)
▪️ Jalen Williams (@okcthunder)@Kia | #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/Mqjl3eFJof
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2023

The 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Rookie Second Team!

▪️ Jalen Duren (@DetroitPistons)
▪️ Tari Eason (@HoustonRockets)
▪️ Jaden Ivey (@DetroitPistons)
▪️ Jabari Smith Jr. (@HoustonRockets)
▪️ Jeremy Sochan (@spurs)@Kia | #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/Cy8kNfckEf
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2023