Former Auburn standout Walker Kessler is a finalist for the KIA NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

With its postseason set to start on Saturday, the NBA announced the finalists for seven awards for play during the 2022-23 regular season on Friday night.

A center for the Utah Jazz, Kessler joins Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams as the finalists for the Rookie of the Year honor.

The 22nd selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, Kessler averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 74 games, with 40 starts, for the Jazz.

Kessler led the NBA’s rookies with 20 games with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, and his .720 shooting percentage was the second-best in NBA history for a player with at least 400 shots in a season.

The first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 72 starts for the Magic.

The 12th choice in the 2022 NBA Draft, Williams averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 75 games, with 62 starts, for the Thunder.

The announcement schedule for the NBA awards will be revealed on Sunday.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.