Kalkbrenner and Ashworth Earn I-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete Team Honors
5/7/2025 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Kalkbrenner Named Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year
OMAHA, Neb. -- Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth of the Creighton men's basketball team have been named to the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association's 23rd Annual Scholar-Athlete Team. Kalkbrenner was named the Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year, joining Michael Lindeman (2002-03) and Anthony Tolliver (2005-06 and 2006-07) as the third Bluejay to earn the prestigious academic accolade.
This is the third time that Kalkbrenner has made the team and second straight season for Ashworth. Last year Kalkbrenner was the $5,000 postgraduate scholarship recipient on the men's side.
A 7-foot-1 center from Florissant, Mo., Kalkbrenner led the BIG EAST 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 contest. The two-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree ranked second nationally in field goals made, third in blocked shots, fourth in field goal percentage, and 19th in points. He ranks second in Creighton history in blocked shots (399), points (2,443), rebounds (1,146) and field goal percentage (.658). A unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST pick, Kalkbrenner also joined Patrick Ewing as the second four-time winner of the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year award. Kalkbrenner was named the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year during his senior campaign.
Ashworth is a 6-foot point guard from Alpine, Utah, who started all 35 of his appearances this season. He averaged 16.4 points and led the BIG EAST with 6.8 assists per game and 93.0 percent marksmanship at the free throw line. Ashworth ranked fourth nationally and set a CU single-season record in free throw percentage, while he was seventh in the country in assists and 11th in three-pointers made, both of which are second-most in CU history. He became the first player in CU history with at least 500 points and 200 assists in the same season, and finished his career with 1,994 career points, 740 career assists and 394 career three-pointers made. He was named a Second Team All-BIG EAST choice and was a finalist for the Nolan Richardson Award.
"It gives us immense pride to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our men's and women's scholar-athlete teams this year," stated Division I-AAA ADA President and Director of Athletics at Loyola University Chicago, Steve Watson. "These students exemplify the perfect balance between academic and athletic commitment. The dedication of these students enhances the core values that we aim to foster in college athletics. In addition, the postgraduate scholarships we provide are another opportunity for us to home in on their extraordinary accomplishment."
Basketball players from all Division I-AAA ADA member institutions are eligible for these prestigious annual awards. Each of the nominees is required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletics credentials. Nominees must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games listed on the nomination form. To be eligible for nomination to the Scholar-Athlete Team, individuals must have reached junior academic standing at their respective institution (ineligible athletics transfers are not eligible).
Creighton finished its 2024-25 season with a 25-11 record and are one of four teams nationally to win an NCAA Tournament game each of the past five seasons.
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This is the third time that Kalkbrenner has made the team and second straight season for Ashworth. Last year Kalkbrenner was the $5,000 postgraduate scholarship recipient on the men's side.
A 7-foot-1 center from Florissant, Mo., Kalkbrenner led the BIG EAST 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 contest. The two-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree ranked second nationally in field goals made, third in blocked shots, fourth in field goal percentage, and 19th in points. He ranks second in Creighton history in blocked shots (399), points (2,443), rebounds (1,146) and field goal percentage (.658). A unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST pick, Kalkbrenner also joined Patrick Ewing as the second four-time winner of the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year award. Kalkbrenner was named the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year during his senior campaign.
Ashworth is a 6-foot point guard from Alpine, Utah, who started all 35 of his appearances this season. He averaged 16.4 points and led the BIG EAST with 6.8 assists per game and 93.0 percent marksmanship at the free throw line. Ashworth ranked fourth nationally and set a CU single-season record in free throw percentage, while he was seventh in the country in assists and 11th in three-pointers made, both of which are second-most in CU history. He became the first player in CU history with at least 500 points and 200 assists in the same season, and finished his career with 1,994 career points, 740 career assists and 394 career three-pointers made. He was named a Second Team All-BIG EAST choice and was a finalist for the Nolan Richardson Award.
"It gives us immense pride to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our men's and women's scholar-athlete teams this year," stated Division I-AAA ADA President and Director of Athletics at Loyola University Chicago, Steve Watson. "These students exemplify the perfect balance between academic and athletic commitment. The dedication of these students enhances the core values that we aim to foster in college athletics. In addition, the postgraduate scholarships we provide are another opportunity for us to home in on their extraordinary accomplishment."
Basketball players from all Division I-AAA ADA member institutions are eligible for these prestigious annual awards. Each of the nominees is required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletics credentials. Nominees must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games listed on the nomination form. To be eligible for nomination to the Scholar-Athlete Team, individuals must have reached junior academic standing at their respective institution (ineligible athletics transfers are not eligible).
Creighton finished its 2024-25 season with a 25-11 record and are one of four teams nationally to win an NCAA Tournament game each of the past five seasons.
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| Name | School | Special Awards |
| Tyler Lundblade | Belmont | |
| Isaiah Walker | Belmont | |
| Steven Ashworth | Creighton | |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | Creighton | Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year |
| Filip Skobalj | Illinois-Chicago | Men's Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete of the Year |
| Jacob Ognacevic | Lipscomb | |
| Will Pruitt | Lipscomb | |
| Stevie Mitchell | Marquette | |
| Josh Dilling | Northern Kentucky | |
| Leo Colimerio | Queens | |
| Ray'Sean Taylor | SIU Edwardsville | |
| Fletcher Abee | UNC Asheville |
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Players Mentioned
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