ALEXANDER CITY, AL—On July 4, the Los Angeles Lakers’ new center, NBA’s Walker Kessler purposed to the 2025 Miss America pageant winner, Abbie Stockard, on America’s 250th birthday.
The LA Lakers’ most recent trade from the Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler, is a talented athlete who makes the most of his seven-foot frame. He uses his size to his advantage with slam dunks and rebounds on the court. Off the court, he also demonstrated impeccable timing by choosing the celebration of the nation’s Semi quincentennial when he proposed to the Auburn University nursing student and cheerleader, Abbie Stockard.
The former Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard, was crowned Miss America 2025 in Orlando, Florida. As a former member of the Tiger Paws Dance Team for Auburn, she thrilled the audience with a contemporary dance routine during the talent competition, winning the crown at the Miss America Pageant. Stockard chose cystic fibrosis awareness for her cause and won $50,000 in scholarships.
Stockard told all in a post on her Instagram page.
“I get to marry Walker Kessler, my best friend! Our story is truly one that only the Lord could have written. So many things once thought where 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”
Stockard first told via text, “I’m SOOO excited!! He proposed at Lake Martin [Alabama], which is special to us, and both of our families were there to celebrate.”
The LA Lakers have not officially announced the numbers of the Jerseys that will be assigned to Walker Kessler. He wore #24 for the Utah Jazz. That number is retired in honor of Kobe Bryant. Kessler wore #25 during his college career at Auburn University. Number 25 has been permanently retired by the Lakers in honor of the National Hall of Fame recipient, Gail Goodrich.
Since his go-to numbers aren’t available, he will have to choose a new jersey number before he takes his place on the court alongside the backdrop duo, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. The year Kessler proposed to his fiancé may be an option. Jersey Number 26 was only used by one player in franchise history. That number was worn by Danny Schayes for 13 games between 1993 and 1994.
