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Ryan Kalkbrenner 2025 NBA Draft Profile

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Nathaniel Noftz | Last updated May 23, 2025 8:00 AM ET

No matter how different the NBA becomes, one thing will always be necessary to have a good defensive team: rim protection. Ryan Kalkbrenner is one of the top rim protectors in this NBA draft class, using his elite size and frame to earn himself a spot on draft boards. One question remains: what else does Kalkbrenner bring to the table as a prospect?

Ryan Kalkbrenner 2025 NBA Draft Profile

College Career

Kalkbrenner didn’t start during his freshman season at Creighton, but in 13.8 minutes per game, he flashed his rim protection with 1.2 blocks. Over the next four seasons, he never averaged less than 2.1 blocks per game on his way to being Big East Defensive Player of the Year four times in a row. He finished his career one block shy of 400. He did all of this with a reputation for avoiding foul trouble, never averaging more than 1.9 fouls per game.

Kalkbrenner developed into a strong offensive player throughout his career. He averaged 13.1 points per game in his sophomore year, slowly building up to 19.2 points per game in his senior season. He led the Big East in field goal percentage in each of his last four seasons, shooting no worse than 64.6% from the field. Kalkbrenner received NBA draft buzz once he started to expand his game beyond the rim. While he never turned into a lethal three-point shooter, he shot 34.4% during his senior season.

Kalkbrenner helped lead Creighton to the Elite Eight in 2023. This past season, the Blue Jays knocked off Louisville in the round of 64 but fell short against the number-one overall seed, Auburn.

Strengths

Kalkbrenner protects the rim with his elite defensive IQ. His help-side defense is remarkable, easily reading the opponents well to make shots difficult at the rim. His tall 7-foot-1 frame with a long wingspan let him contest shots with consistency. He is strong, allowing him to set strong screens on the offensive end and battle for position on both ends.

Kalkbrenner’s finishing around the rim elevates his value on the offensive end. He shoots over defenders easily and powers through weaker opponents. He plays such a powerful game without fouling, which may be the best attribute possible in a rim protector. While others pick up cheap fouls, Kalkbrenner’s basketball knowledge keeps him vertical on both ends. Whoever drafts Kalkbrenner knows they will have him down low at critical points if they need him.

Weaknesses

Kalkbrenner has a high basketball IQ, but he lacks athleticism. He isn’t fast and doesn’t have an incredible vertical jump. On the perimeter, smaller players will blow right by him, while athletic bigs will have no problem beating him. Kalkbrenner can contest shots, but he has slow closeouts to protect the drive to the basket. Shooters with a quick release will have no trouble getting off their shots.

Kalkbrenner has post moves that can score, but nothing that blows anybody away. He is technical, but slow, allowing athletic defenders to stay on him. He fails to pass well out of double teams, often committing to a shot whether he has the open space or not. Kalkbrenner fights for positioning down low but occasionally lacks the drive to rebound. He averaged 8.7 rebounds per game this season, which was a career-high. However, there are many examples of faster players running around him and out-hustling him to the ball. Every team loves the big body, but he will need to be more aggressive on the boards.

Kalkbrenner has worked on his shooting, but that remains somewhat of a liability. He prefers to work around the basket, which isn’t a problem for rim protectors but limits his ceiling. With NBA coaching, he could work on this to improve his confidence, but for now, he is unwilling to shoot unless he is wide open, despite being 7-foot-1.

NBA Comparisons

Kalkbrenner reminds me of Maxime Raynaud from Stanford, but he is more defensive. Watching him play with great instincts but a lack of athleticism makes me think of Brook Lopez. Lopez thrives on the defensive end of the floor and has developed a great three-point shot. If Kalkbrenner wants to become a regular player on a successful team, he will model his game after Lopez. He became a better player the longer he played in the NBA, so there is hope that Kalkbrenner can work towards that throughout his career.

2025 NBA Draft Prediction

Ryan Kalkbrenner should be selected early in the second round of the NBA draft. A team could take him at the back end of the first round if centers fly off the board early on.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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