Creighton’s Kalkbrenner to return next season

Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff WriterMay 1, 2024, 05:45 PM ET

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• Basketball recruiting expert.
• Signed up with ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner, three-time Big East Defensive Gamer of the Year, announced Wednesday that he plans to go back to the Bluejays for another season.Kalkbrenner had actually entered his name into the NBA draft but is forecasted as a borderline second-round pick. He will be taking advantage of the additional year of eligibility given by the NCAA to student-athletes from the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season.A 7-foot-1 senior, Kalkbrenner has actually been one of the elite defensive players in college basketball over the previous 3 seasons. He was a first-team All-Big East performer in 2022-23 and a second-team selection this past season, winning Big East Defensive Gamer of the Year honors in each of the past three seasons.Kalkbrenner averaged a career-high 17.3 points and 3.1 blocks this season, including 7.6 rebounds.

  He ranked sixth nationally in basket percentage, shooting 64.6%from the field. His 107 obstructed shots ranked 2nd in the country.He has made major strides on the offensive end, posting 20 or more points 11 times-consisting of 28 points, nine rebounds and 7 blocks in a January win over Seton Hall and 28 points in a February success against Xavier. Kalkbrenner was terrific in the NCAA tournament, balancing 18.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in 3 games.He’s ranked No. 52 in ESPN’s leading 100 NBA draft prospects.