Walker Kessler’s Miss America fiancée gushes over Shaq’s ‘best big man’ praise

Los Angeles Lakers’ Walker Kessler tallied 10 dunks during his team’s 127–105 win over the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night.

Those 10 dunks were the most a Laker has produced in a game since the days of Shaquille O’Neal back in 2003.

Following the win, Kessler’s overall performance against the Warriors — scoring 26 points on perfect 12-for-12 shooting from the field — earned high praise from Shaq himself.

“For so long, the Lakers’ big men have been historical and dominant. Walker Kessler is the best big man in the NBA. You heard it here first,” O’Neal said from the ESPN studio.

The NBA on ESPN’s Instagram account posted a clip of Shaq’s comment on Wednesday night, which was then reposted by Kessler’s fiancée, former Miss America winner Abbie Stockard, on Thursday morning.

It might be premature for Shaq to call Kessler the league’s “best big man,” given he has only played one game in the purple and gold.

But Shaq knows dominance down low better than anyone else, and his sentiment about Kessler bodes well for the Lakers’ upcoming campaign.

Beauty queen Stockard recently finished nursing school in Alabama, so it’s unclear whether she’s currently with Kessler in Los Angeles as he embarks on his debut season with the Lakers.

Regardless, whatever mutual support Kessler and Stockard have going on at home is translating to success on the basketball court.

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