NCAA Basketball: Top 10 players to wear jersey No. 11 in 2023-24 season
By Joey Loose
2. Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)
For the last four seasons, Kalkbrenner has been exactly what Creighton has expected and need him to be. The 7-foot center showed promise in a limited role as a freshman before developing into one of the best frontcourt pieces in the nation over his career. He was critical during Creighton’s run to the Elite Eight in 2023 and certainly showed up in a major way during this senior year.
He would average 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, each career-best numbers, as his game continued to grow. Kalkbrenner finished second in the nation in blocks was the Big East’s leader in field goal percentage for a third straight season. Additionally, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year for a third straight season based on those impressive figures in the paint, becoming one of the most dominant interior forces in the country.
His 29-point effort against Loyola Chicago was his first great game but far from the last. Kalkbrenner had 28 points in road wins over Seton Hall and Xavier, and his great play in conference play helped take the Bluejays to a 2nd place finish. During Creighton’s Sweet Sixteen run, Kalkbrenner scored 23 against Akron and had 19 points and 14 rebounds against Oregon before Tennessee ended his senior season.