The Winner Of Miss America 2025 Is Dating An NBA Player
The winner of the 2025 Miss America pageant was crowned in Orlando, Florida on Sunday evening.
Abbie Stockard, an Auburn University nursing student, was named the winner of the competition. She beat out 50 other competitors - one from each U.S. state plus Puerto Rico - to take home the crown. Abbie had won Miss Alabama over the summer.
The former SEC cheerleader has strong ties to the sports world. She's actually dating an NBA player. Abbie has been dating an NBA player who starred collegiately at Auburn for a couple of years now.
Abbie Stockard.
Abbie/IG
Abbie is getting a $50,000 prize in scholarship money as Miss America and she will immediately start a yearlong reign as the winner of the prestigious competition.
The Birmingham, Alabama native is actually dating former Auburn Tigers star Walker Kessler. The 23-year-old Atlanta, Georgia native played college hoops for the North Carolina Tar Heels and Auburn Tigers. He was the No. 22 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
"To the guy I get to share the same birthday with, happy birthday walk!🫶🏻 you get me like no other and make me feel like the most special girl ever! I love you!💙," she wrote over the summer, celebrating his birthday.
Walker had a two-word reaction to his girlfriend winning Miss America on Sunday night.
"Let's go," he wrote on his Instagram Story.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Quenton Jackson #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies shoots the ball over Walker Kessler #13 and Jabari Smith #10 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half in the Quarterfinal game of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on March 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The young NBA big man is averaging 10.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game for the Utah Jazz, who are 9-25 on the season.
Abbie, meanwhile, has big goals for her future. She wants to earn "an advanced degree, a doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice, and specialize in pediatrics."
The Miss America champion became the fourth Miss Alabama to win the prestigious competition. Previous winners from Alabama included Deidre Downs, Miss America 2005; Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995; and Yolande Betbeze, Miss America 1951.
Abbie is extremely grateful.
“As I step into this evening, I am filled with excitement, honor, and gratitude,” Stockard said in an Instagram post before the final competition.
“Thanking the Lord for placing me here this week and giving me one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Regardless of the outcome, I want to express my deepest thanks to my friends, family, the amazing Miss Alabama board, and the wonderful people of Alabama for making me feel so appreciated and loved. I hope I’ve made you proud and represented you well.”
