Player Breakdown: Cooper Kesler
Cooper Kesler is a 6’0″ shooting guard from the class of 2022. In the upcoming season, Kesler will look to help the Hillcrest Knights make a run at the district championship before advancing to the state tournament in hopes of…
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Continue ReadingCooper Kesler is a 6’0″ shooting guard from the class of 2022. In the upcoming season, Kesler will look to help the Hillcrest Knights make a run at the district championship before advancing to the state tournament in hopes of making a big impact during their time at the Idaho Center. Kesler is one of the younger players on the Hillcrest roster and he will look to build upon his impressive resume already after contributing big minutes and points for the Knights. Continue reading for a look at Cooper’s game from all aspects.
Defense: Kesler is a solid defender that will continue to improve as his body grows. He holds his own against other guards and battles whenever he is switched onto a post player. On the perimeter, Kesler has a quick first step which allows him to run through passing lanes for easy steals. He has great hands and is always in the correct position when he needs to play help side defense for his teammates. When guarding the post, Kesler attempts to front while asking for backside help. He doesn’t always manage to work his way around to the front, but I know that added size and strength will contribute to his ability to throw other players out of their comfort zone.
Offense: Cooper is an excellent shooter that loves to look for his shot. He has the ability to knockdown a shot from anywhere beyond the arc and is constantly seen shooting from the volleyball line or deeper. His shot is slightly unorthodox and takes a little bit of extra time to get off, but he is able to create separation from his defender which allows him to still get a shot up. He is an incredibly efficient scorer and it is rare to see him go a game without knocking down at least a handful of triples. Last season, Kesler knocked down 7 three’s in one game against Shelley and he has the potential to do so every game when he looks for his shots. Kesler can also play the point guard position if needed and has great ball-handling skills. He mainly likes to play on the perimeter but is also capable of a drive to the rim or a pull-up mid-range jumper.
Overall: Altogether, Kesler is a great guard for Hillcrest and he has a lot of potential as he continues to grow. Defensively, he is solid and can always keep his man in front. On the other end of the court, Cooper is a sharp shooter with the ability to get hot, and stay hot.