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.
Ryan Kalkbrenner doing what he’s best at, being big…
7’1 w/o shoes, 7’7 wingspan. Great cleanup work on the glass, with putbacks & tap outs. Nice recovery pin-block. Screening, slipping, diving, & dunking. Working the handoff game. Just out there doing competent big-man stuff. pic.twitter.com/CEYM1LgT8s
— NBA University (@NBA_University) October 12, 2025
For the first two preseason games, Kalkbrenner came off the bench. In their most recent matchup, a showdown against the Dallas Mavericks, he started. In that game, he posted a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
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Last season, Diabaté averaged 5.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Despite posting solid numbers towards the end of the season, Diabaté still lacks experience with only eight career starts. He’s flashed his potential with career-highs of 21 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, four blocks and three steals. However, he’s yet to prove he’s consistent enough to be the starter.
Plumlee didn’t fare much better in 2024-25, averaging 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Phoenix Suns. Furthermore, neither he nor Diabaté are known for their shot-blocking ability. In 12 career seasons, Plumlee has only averaged 1+ block per game three times. Though he’s just a three-year pro, Diabaté has never accomplished that feat.
The Last Word On Ryan Kalkbrenner
The Hornets will rely on small-ball lineups, with forwards Miles Bridges, Grant Williams and Tidjane Salaun being asked to punch above their weight. This will be key as Kalkbrenner will struggle when switched on to smaller guards in isolation. Nevertheless, his rebounding and shot-blocking provide something that Charlotte has not seen recently from the center position. Paired with playmakers LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and company, expect his size to also make him a pick-and-roll threat.
If Kalkbrenner is able to rebound, protect the rim and run the pick-and-roll well, he may earn the starting job at some point during the year. If that were to happen, the close auditing of Charlotte’s center group will be proven to have been unwaranted.
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