The Charlotte Hornets opened their season with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, and much of it centered on rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner. Drafted 34th overall out of Creighton University, Kalkbrenner wasn’t projected as a franchise cornerstone — but in his first real NBA action, he looked every bit the part of a modern rim-protecting big.
Against the Brooklyn Nets, Kalkbrenner started alongside fellow rookie Kon Knueppel, marking the first time in Hornets history that two first-year players opened a season in the starting lineup. The message from head coach Charles Lee was clear: the youth movement is here, and it’s real.
Box-score brilliance
Kalkbrenner’s debut numbers don’t just look good — they carry meaning. He finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in 26 minutes, giving Charlotte an interior presence it sorely lacked last season. More importantly, his activity on the glass helped the Hornets win the rebounding battle 50-38.
From the opening tip, Kalkbrenner looked comfortable. He scored his first NBA points on a clean pick-and-roll feed from LaMelo Ball, finishing softly with his left hand. Minutes later, he hit a mid-range jumper off a short roll — a nod to his developing touch beyond the paint. His poise stood out even more than his stats: calm screens, smart rotations, and a quiet awareness of where to be at all times.
Interior impact
What makes Kalkbrenner intriguing isn’t just his height — it’s his timing. Multiple Brooklyn drives ended abruptly at the rim, and his presence alone forced several missed layups. The Hornets’ defense, often porous last season, looked more organized with him anchoring the middle.
Kalkbrenner’s rim deterrence extended beyond the block column; his mere positioning changed the way Brooklyn attacked the paint. His plus/minus (+9) led all Charlotte starters — a small sample, but one that aligned with the eye test.
Areas for growth
Of course, it wasn’t perfect. Kalkbrenner’s learning curve was visible against quicker, more mobile bigs. He committed three turnovers, mostly on rushed passes from the post and one illegal screen. His defensive rotations occasionally lagged when switching onto guards — a common rookie adjustment for seven-footers entering the NBA’s pace-and-space era.
Still, those are fixable issues. The instincts, timing, and discipline are already there — traits far harder to teach.
Postgame perspective
After the game, head coach Charles Lee praised Kalkbrenner’s readiness and composure, saying after the contest, “He looked like he belonged.” Lee also noted that Kalkbrenner’s preparation throughout camp made the decision to start him “an easy one.”
Kalkbrenner, true to his understated personality, downplayed the performance. “It’s just basketball,” he said postgame. “The rim is still ten feet. I just want to do what helps us win.” That kind of demeanor — steady, unflappable, and team-first — already fits well within Charlotte’s new identity.
A foundation in the making
The Hornets have spent years searching for stability in the middle. Mark Williams showed flashes but struggled to stay healthy; Nick Richards brought energy but inconsistency. If Kalkbrenner continues to build on this debut, he could be the steady anchor the franchise has been missing.
His double-double in a starting role doesn’t guarantee long-term stardom, but it signals something Charlotte hasn’t had in a while — a big who controls the paint through effort and intelligence rather than sheer athleticism. In a game often driven by flash, Kalkbrenner’s brand of basketball — efficient, disciplined, quietly effective — might be exactly what the Hornets need most.
As first impressions go, this one landed. The Hornets didn’t just find a contributor; they might have found their defensive foundation.