Kaleb Wesson (born July 25, 1999) is an American professional basketball player who plays as a center. He played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes before embarking on a professional career that has included stints in various international leagues.
Early Life and High School Career
Wesson was born in Columbus, Ohio, and attended Westerville South High School in Westerville, Ohio. As a standout high school player, he was a highly recruited prospect, known for his dominant post-play and rebounding ability. During his senior year, he led Westerville South to a Division I state championship. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to Ohio State University, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Andre Wesson, who also played for the Buckeyes.
College Career
Wesson played three seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2017 to 2020.
- Freshman Year (2017–18): He immediately contributed to the team, starting in 30 of 33 games and averaging 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
- Sophomore Year (2018–19): Wesson's performance improved significantly, as he became a focal point of the Buckeyes' offense. He averaged 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.
- Junior Year (2019–20): He continued his strong play, averaging 14.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game. He once again received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition. Following his junior season, Wesson declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his senior year of eligibility.
Professional Career
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Wesson began his professional career overseas.
- Brose Bamberg (2020–2021): He signed with Brose Bamberg of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) in Germany, where he gained his first professional experience.
- Phoenix Fuel Masters (2021–2022): Wesson then moved to the Philippines, joining the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
- Ironi Ness Ziona (2022–2023): He subsequently played for Ironi Ness Ziona in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
- Fukushima Firebonds (2023–Present): Wesson currently plays for the Fukushima Firebonds in the B.League (Japan).
Playing Style
Wesson is primarily known as a traditional center, possessing strong post-up skills, a soft touch around the rim, and excellent rebounding instincts. His large frame allows him to be a physical presence in the paint on both ends of the floor. He has also shown an ability to stretch the floor with an improving mid-range and occasional three-point shot.