CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WOWT) – Ryan Kalkbrenner was officially introduced by the Charlotte Hornets, along with their three other 2025 draft picks, at a news conference Friday.
Kalkbrenner held up a No. 32 jersey, indicating he will wear the same number that he donned during his freshman year at Creighton before switching to No. 11.
The 7-foot-1 center was selected 34th overall by the Hornets in the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday. Charlotte recently traded starting center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns.
“Ryan, obviously, has an incredible opportunity,” said Jeff Peterson, Hornets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.” Of course, we still have (Jusuf) Nurkic and Moussa (Diabaté). They’re all three different. Different skillsets and they bring a different look to the game. At the end of the day, it could be a weapon for us, just the different looks we can throw at teams.”
“It’ll be fun to play with three different pitches in your arsenal and in your tool belt,” added Hornets’ head coach Charles Lee. “I think he also has a great opportunity to learn from two other guys that were here last year.”
Kalkbrenner said he felt the love from Charlotte going back to his pre-draft workout.
“When I came for my workout for my pre-draft stuff, you could feel the excitement, the energy in the workout and in the building, all that,” he said. “You can tell that what they’re building here is going to be something special, so I’m excited to be a part of it.”
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