Why Hornets Fans Should Pay Attention to This Former Creighton Center
The Hornets selected Ryan Kalkbrenner with the 34th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After selecting a sharpshooter in the first round, the Hornets made this selection to add more size and depth to the frontcourt. It was more evident how critical this selection was when the team traded Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic to the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, respectively, during NBA Free Agency. The former Creighton Center is a rim-running defensive anchor that could see some time off the bench and then earn a spot in the starting lineup in the regular season sooner if he impresses coaches during the summer.
Offensively, Kalkbrenner’s game revolves around the paint and getting second-chance shots for his team. During his time at Creighton, he was a double-double machine for the Bluejays as they battled some of the top teams in the Big East and the country. He is also a huge lob threat and shot 34 percent from the three-point line last season. The seven-foot-one center has been described as a “menace” defensively. Kalkbrenner won the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award four times during his collegiate career. He averaged a career-best three blocks per game last season. Hornets coaches have been impressed with his ability to block and contest shots and the way he can get up and down the floor quickly.
Kalkbrenner knows that his game can translate to the NBA. “I know where my greatest strengths lie in shot blocking and finishing around the rim. It’s trying to get my foot in the door with those two things, and expanding from there,” Kakbrenner said. The center will get opportunities to crack the rotation due to his skill set and massive frame. After trading away two big men during the offseason, Kalkbrenner has the opportunity to become a mainstay at the center position for Charlotte going forward. If he develops well, then Hornets fans can look back at this being one of the most important draft picks during this rebuild. Fans will get their first look at Kalkbrenner when the Hornets set down in Sacremento for the California Classic Summer League, which is set for July 6th-9th.
