It’s been a hugely life-altering past couple of days for Walker Kessler.
Last Wednesday, news broke that the Utah Jazz were trading Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers and that Kessler would be signing a new four-year, $130 million contract.
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This weekend, an even bigger event in Kessler’s life happened, as he and longtime girlfriend Abbie Stockard, who was Miss America in 2025, got engaged to be married.
Both Kessler and Stockard announced the news on social media.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
“I give thanks to God I get to spend the rest of my life with you, Abbie. Here’s to the future together. I love you so much ❤️” Kessler captioned his post.
Wrote Stockard: “The greatest surprise!! We’re getting married!!🤍💍I get to marry Walker Kessler – my best friend! Our story is truly one that only the Lord could have written. So many things I once thought were coincidences were really His perfect plan unfolding, and our story is greater than anything I could have imagined.
“There’s no one else I’d rather spend the rest of my life with, doing life together and cheering each other on! I’m so excited for all the big things God has in store for us and the adventure ahead, wherever He might lead us. Best Fourth of July EVER ☺️☺️”
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Kessler, 24, and Stockard, 23 (incidentally, they were both born on July 26) met while students at Auburn University.
Last January, a video went viral of Kessler watching Stockard win the Miss America pageant while at dinner with Jazz head coach Will Hardy.
Walker Kessler’s girlfriend, Abbie Stockard, won Miss America on Sunday.
Here’s Walker watching her win while at dinner with Jazz head coach Will Hardy.
Tremendous content.
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— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) January 7, 2025