01-04-2025
Kalkbrenner named NABC Defensive Player of the Year
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – After a phenomenal season helping lead the Bluejays to the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Ryan Kalkbrenner has been named the National Association of Basketball Coaches Defensive Player of the Year.
The 7'1' center led the Big East conference in blocked shots per game (2.7), rebounds per game (8.7), and field goal percentage (.653) while ranking third with 19.2 points per game.
The two-time All Big East first team honoree ranks second nationally in field goals made, 3rd in blocked shots, and 19th in points.
Kalkbrenner is one of 10 finalists for the Naismith trophy and one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award given to the nation's best center.
In his five years at Creighton, the Missouri native ranked second in Creighton history in blocked shots with 399, points with 2,443, rebounds with 1,146, and field goal percentage at .658. Kalkbrenner played 169 games in the blue and white.
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