Charlotte Hornets Select Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner in Second Round of NBA Draft

BROOKLYN, N.Y.. -- Ryan Kalkbrenner became Creighton's sixth men's basketball player since 2014 to be selected in the NBA Draft on Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., when the 7-foot-1 center was drafted in the Second Round, No. 34 overall, by the Charlotte Hornets.

Kalkbrenner is Creighton's 10th Second Round pick in history, which includes former NBA All-Stars Paul Silas (1964) and Kyle Korver (2003).

Kalkbrenner is the first Creighton product ever drafted by the Hornets franchise. Among the active players selected 34th overall in the NBA Draft include Tyler Kolek (2024), Colby Jones (2023), Jaylin Williams (2022),  Bruno Fernando (2020) and Jae Crowder (2012).

Kalkbrenner turned in one of the most decorated careers in Creighton Basketball history, ranking second in program history in points (2,443), rebounds (1,146), blocks (399), field goals made (984) and field goal percentage (.658).

The Florissant, Mo., native was named a Second Team All-American in 2024-25 by the USBWA, NABC, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports and College Hoops Today, as well as being. a Third Team All-American by Associated Press, Sporting News and Field of 68. He was honored as the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year in addition to being named the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year and NABC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024-25.

In 2024-25 Kalkbrenner ranked second in the country in field goals made, third in blocked shots, fourth in field goal percentage, 22nd in points, 28th in rebounds and 39th in double-doubles. Kalkbrenner also was voted BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time, something only Patrick Ewing had previously accomplished.

Kalkbrenner played in more wins (118), BIG EAST Tournament wins (7), NCAA Tournament wins (9) than any player in Creighton history. He helped the Bluejays to the Elite Eight in 2023 and the Sweet 16 in 2021, 2023 and 2024 after the program hadn't reached the Sweet 16 since 1974 before his arrival.

Also a standout in the classroom, Kalkbrenner earned his undergraduate degree in three years and was a three-time selection to the I-AAA Athletic Directors Association Scholar-Athlete Team. He received the organization's Postgrad Scholarship following the 2023-24 campaign and was recognized as the 2024-25 I-AAA Athletic Directors Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Coached by Greg McDermott, Creighton finished the 2024-25 season with a 25-11 record and placed second in the BIG EAST Conference. The Bluejays defeated No. 10 Louisville in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 4 Auburn. CU is one of four teams nationally to win an NCAA Tournament game each of the past five seasons.