After winning the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner was projected to be picked in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. However, his name couldn’t be heard on Wednesday night at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
NBA fans watched in awe as top prospects like Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper heard their names called in the lottery’s opening moments. Yet amid the fireworks, one name conspicuously failed to echo through the arena on night one.
It was Kalkbrenner. Once projected as a late first-round pick, the AP All-American Third team honoree found himself slipping into the early second round. It was a drop that left the basketball community wondering what went wrong.
Unpacking Ryan Kalkbrenner’s 2025 NBA Draft Fall
Over five seasons at Creighton, Kalkbrenner cemented himself as one of college basketball’s premier interior anchors. He finished his career as a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in his final campaign.
Offensively, he boasted an efficient 65.3% field-goal shooting mark and even stretched the floor to the 3-point line. According to Liberty Ballers, Kalkbrenner knocked down 34.4% of his attempts from deep in his final season. On paper, his production and accolades suggested a solid case for a first-round selection.
Round 1️⃣ buzz. 1️⃣ day until the draft. #GoJays x @RyanKalkbrenner pic.twitter.com/Kc71mVjHpU
– Creighton Men’s Basketball (@BluejayMBB) June 24, 2025
Heading into June’s workouts, many draft boards slotted Kalkbrenner in the back end of Round 1 or the front of Round 2. At the NBA Combine, teams marveled at his 7’5″ wingspan and sturdy 257-pound frame. However, questions soon emerged about his mobility and how his game would translate to the faster, more switch-heavy defenses in today’s NBA.
While Kalkbrenner’s length and defensive instincts are undeniable, scouts repeatedly noted limitations that made some front offices hesitate. Per Yahoo Sports, NBA Senior Analyst Kevin O’Connor noted that Kalkbrenner “is largely dependent on teammates to set him up,” lacking the advanced post moves or dribble-drive capability needed to create his own shot against NBA-level bigs.
“He lacks an advanced post game and the handle to face up and create his own shot,” O’Connor stated. “For such a great defender, he’s always underwhelmed as a rebounder. He averaged 7.6 rebounds per game as a starter at Creighton. He’s not a switchable defender. Quick guards exploit him in space.”
According to Sports Business Classroom, though he runs the floor adequately, “Kalkbrenner is solid but unspectacular… Stronger opponents can push him around, which will be a concern in the NBA,” raising doubts about his defensive versatility in pick-and-roll coverages.
🚨 After Day 1 of the NBA Draft, four of the Top 10 center prospects are still available
– Maxime Raynaud
– Ryan Kalkbrenner
– Johni Broome
– Rocco ZikarskySomething to greatly consider if the Lakers can trade into the early 2nd tomorrow pic.twitter.com/1LfJf4tbtY
– LakersMuse (@LALMuse) June 26, 2025
Despite solid numbers, his 18.4% defensive rebound rate ranked just 348th among Division I players with 500+ minutes, suggesting he could be bullied on the boards at the next level. These combined factors clashed with league trends favoring bigs who could shoot, switch across multiple positions, and create mismatches.
In the end, Kalkbrenner’s draft-night fall wasn’t a verdict on his ultimate potential, but rather a reflection of NBA priorities. Meanwhile, teams without pressing frontcourt vacancies were unwilling to burn a first-round pick on a project-type big, effectively pushing Kalkbrenner into Round 2 consideration.
Still, some other teams may see value where others hesitated. The Philadelphia 76ers, for instance, are among the teams projected to grab Kalkbrenner with the 35th pick. Any team that lands him would surely bank on his rim protection, efficient scoring, and experience as a foundational piece worth developing.
