Jan. 23, 2026, 10:27 p.m. ET
Ryan Kalkbrenner has played a key role this season for the Charlotte Hornets, and his efforts and work behind the scenes haven’t gone unnoticed by coach Charles Lee.
Kalkbrenner is averaging 8.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 77.2% from the field with the Hornets. He has the best field-goal percentage by any player through the first 33 games of a career since the NBA-ABA merger, according to Stathead.
The 24-year-old has stepped in and provided the team with strong production in the frontcourt, with his rebounding, rim protection and offense in the paint. Lee likes the unselfishness with which Kalkbrenner plays on both ends of the court.
I think there are some games, he’ll walk away and has got a little bit of that like Brook Lopez to me where he walks away, doesn’t have gaudy, defensive rebounding numbers, but our defensive rebounding percentage as a team when he is on the court, and overall, is really good because he does a good job of keeping whoever is around him off the glass and helping us secure the ball. Offensively, the unselfishness is there again, all the screen assists, all the offensive rebound tip outs. … He has been a wonderful addition to our entire program, culture and on the court.
Kalkbrenner started 25 out of his first 26 games of the season for Lee before missing 10 games due to a left elbow sprain. He has come off the bench in six of his seven appearances since returning, averaging 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds.
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Despite missing time, the 7-footer still leads all first-year players in blocked shots (50) and is sixth in rebounding average. He is fifth among all players in the league in contested shots per game (10.4) and seventh in blocks per game.
Kalkbrenner was highly touted out of Creighton after establishing himself as one of the top big men in the country, leaving as the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. He has picked up the Hornets’ system well and has been a seamless addition to the roster.
“I love how he comes to work every day,” Lee said. “That doesn’t get talked about, I think, enough. Sometimes we get so worried about the performance on game night, which is what we’re probably being paid for, but with our group and our culture right now, it is important how you show up every day, and wanting to be obsessed with the daily improvement. He brings that to our organization, to our culture. He enhances our culture because of the work ethic that he has every day, so I love that about him.”