Kalkbrenner Named A Finalist For 2024 Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year
3/21/2024 10:10:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Senior center is a three-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
OMAHA, Neb. -- For the second straight season, Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner is one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy Men's Defensive Player of the Year award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Thursday.
The Naismith Award for Men's Defensive Player of the Year has been presented annually since 2018 to the most outstanding men's defensive basketball player who achieves tremendous on-court success. The 2024 Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year announcement will take place on Sunday, April 7, at the Naismith Awards Brunch at the Final Four.
2024 Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
A senior center, Kalkbrenner averages 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He leads the BIG EAST and ranks in the top six nationally in both blocked shots (3.0) and field goal percentage (.650).
The Florissant, Mo., product ranked seventh in the BIG EAST with 17.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in league contests. His 97 blocks are CU's most since 1984-85 and his 296 career rejections rank second in Bluejay history. Kalkbrenner has been named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, given to the nation's best center, and joined Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning as the only men to be named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year three times or more.
Last week Kalkbrenner was named an Honorable Mention All-American by 247Sports, and on Monday he was recognized as an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American He's also earned Second Team All-BIG EAST plaudits and Second Team All-District recognition from the NABC.
Creighton (23-9) returns to the court later today when it opens play in the NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. Central in Pittsburgh, Pa., against Akron (24-10).
The Naismith Award for Men's Defensive Player of the Year has been presented annually since 2018 to the most outstanding men's defensive basketball player who achieves tremendous on-court success. The 2024 Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year announcement will take place on Sunday, April 7, at the Naismith Awards Brunch at the Final Four.
2024 Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year Finalists
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A senior center, Kalkbrenner averages 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He leads the BIG EAST and ranks in the top six nationally in both blocked shots (3.0) and field goal percentage (.650).
The Florissant, Mo., product ranked seventh in the BIG EAST with 17.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in league contests. His 97 blocks are CU's most since 1984-85 and his 296 career rejections rank second in Bluejay history. Kalkbrenner has been named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, given to the nation's best center, and joined Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning as the only men to be named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year three times or more.
Last week Kalkbrenner was named an Honorable Mention All-American by 247Sports, and on Monday he was recognized as an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American He's also earned Second Team All-BIG EAST plaudits and Second Team All-District recognition from the NABC.
Creighton (23-9) returns to the court later today when it opens play in the NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. Central in Pittsburgh, Pa., against Akron (24-10).
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