Hornets Rookie Could Carve Out Significant Role

Despite improving their roster through shrewd trades and a solid draft class, the Charlotte Hornets faced scrutiny this offseason. This stemmed from their lack of depth at the center position, a problem that was created when they traded both Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic in the summer. With Moussa Diabaté the only center on the roster at one point, Charlotte shored up the position by adding veteran Mason Plumlee and drafting rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner.

With Plumlee being added for depth and leadership, Kalkbrenner will have a real chance to earn minutes as the main backup and could ultimately take the starting job if he plays well. Viewed as a late first-round to early second-round pick, Charlotte did well to land Kalkbrenner with the 34th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 23-year-old offers more experience than most college players, having used an extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He played in five total collegiate seasons, all at Creighton.

Hornets Rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner Could Start At Center

Kalkbrenner improved in each season with the Blue Jays, averaging 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game as a senior. That season, he led the Big East in rebounds per game, blocks per game and field-goal percentage (.653). His scoring average ranked second in the conference, trailing only former Villanova forward Eric Dixon. Of note, Dixon the Hornets signed Dixon to an Exhibit 10 contract last week.

By the end of his collegiate career, Kalkbrenner took home four (consecutive) Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards. Coming to a team that ranked tied for 19th in blocks per game, his great interior defense will be welcomed. In fact, after a respectable Summer League showing, he’s been producing in the preseason as well. In three games, he’s averaging 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per contest.