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8 articles
CHA • • #
about 1 month ago
Kalkbrenner got the start and played 27 minutes in his NBA debut while Mason Plumlee was a DNP-CD. The 23-year-old center put up 10 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks against the Nets on Wednesday while shooting 5-of-6 from the field. Kalkbrenner became the 81st player in NBA history to have a double-double in their debut, according to Hornets PR. He certainly looks like the Hornets starting center to begin the year.
CHA • • #
about 1 month ago
Kalkbrenner or Moussa Diabaté would be Charlotte’s starting center, and the rookie won out for the season opener. Even with the uncertainty during the preseason, both players were worth selecting with a late-round pick in fantasy drafts. Kalkbrenner and Diabaté will play most of the minutes, so there’s no reason to consider Mason Plumlee in fantasy leagues.
Source: Charlotte Hornets
CHA • • #
about 2 months ago
Hornets head coach Charles Lee has not settled on a starting center, and the competition may run for the preseason. However, after Moussa Diabaté started the first two preseason games, Kalkbrenner got his shot Saturday night. And the second-round pick out of Creighton played well, not missing a shot from the field while recording a double-double in 25 minutes. Diabaté (6/2/1) played 12 minutes and veteran Mason Plumlee (zero points, four rebounds) played 11 in Saturday’s victory. Even if Kalkbrenner isn’t the starter when the regular season begins, he’ll likely be given every opportunity to earn the job. He’s definitely a rookie worth selecting in redraft leagues.
CHA • • #
2 months ago
The No. 34 pick teased a double-double and made an impact on the defensive end in his first preseason game. The big man shot an efficient 4-of-6 from the field, though he went just 3-of-5 from the charity stripe. He should see plenty of run in his first NBA season, and he’s in contention to land the starting center job for a team bereft of depth at the position.
CHA • • #
2 months ago
Kalkbrenner, the 34th overall pick in June’s draft, is one of the options competing for the right to start at center when the regular season begins. And he’s made a positive impression on Hornets head coach Charles Lee, who’s obviously the person Kalkbrenner needs to impress. “His basketball IQ stands out to me, his competitiveness stands out to me and I think his willingness to keep it simple stands out to me,” Lee said. “I think that he’s in the right positions a lot of times because he’s willing to do whatever it takes to kind of help his teammates defensively and offensively. And so he’s been phenomenal — as have all the rookies. But he’s stood out.” Kalkbrenner won Big East Defensive Player of the Year four times, something only Patrick Ewing (Georgetown) had accomplished in the conference’s history. Having also made steady improvements offensively throughout his time at Creighton, Kalkbrenner has the skill and IQ required to have an immediate impact if he can beat out Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabaté for the starting job. At a minimum, the Hornets’ rookie is worth selecting with a late-round draft pick.
Source: Charlotte Observer
CHA • • #
5 months ago
While he didn’t get much action as a scorer in Sunday’s NBA 2K26 Summer League championship game, Kalkbrenner took advantage of the few opportunities he received. The rebounds and defensive stats are more noteworthy for fantasy managers, as the 7-foot-1 center stands to be most impactful as a defender next season. Even if veteran Mason Plumlee begins next season as the starter, Kalkbrenner should play plenty and will be worth a look in the later rounds of standard league drafts.
CHA • • #
5 months ago
Kalkbrenner did not offer much offensive production on Saturday, but his value is best realized on the defensive end of the floor. The four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year blocked three shots and altered a few others on Saturday as the Hornets held on after blowing a sizable lead. Despite being a second-round pick, Kalkbrenner is in a position where he may be a must-select player in the late rounds of fantasy drafts. Charlotte still has Moussa Diabate and brought back Mason Plumlee for a second stint with the franchise, but the roster is lacking at the center position.
CHA • • #
5 months ago
Kalkbrenner spent five years at Creighton, and he’ll turn 24 this year, making him one of the oldest prospects in this year’s draft. At 7’1, 257 pounds, he’ll have few peers his size at the next level, giving him a physical advantage out of the gate. In his final season with the Blue Jays, he posted 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.7 blocks per game. Kalkbrenner’s 66/73/32 splits over his final four collegiate seasons were impressive for a player of his size, and he has the skills to develop into a strong offensive option in the NBA. Charlotte traded away Mark Williams on Wednesday, so Kalkbrenner will compete with Moussa Diabate and Jusuf Nurkic for the starting center spot for the Hornets. He could be in for a big rookie year.