OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton’s star big man is officially headed to The League.
The Charlotte Hornets selected Ryan Kalkbrenner with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the NBA Draft on Thursday night.
The Bluejays seven-footer will have an opportunity to compete for playing time in his rookie season. The Hornets traded starting center Mark Williams to Phoenix on Wednesday night.
In five seasons in Omaha, Kalkbrenner established himself as one of the Big East’s all-time great centers. The 23-year-old won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award in four consecutive seasons, joining Patrick Ewing as the only other player in conference history to accomplish the feat.
It’s not about where you get drafted, it’s the situation you’re walking into.
Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner will have a real chance to compete for playing time in Charlotte after the Hornets dealt Mark Williams to Phoenix last night. #GoJays
— Clayton Collier (@ClaytonJCollier) June 27, 2025
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