It was only weeks ago when there was widespread belief that the Charlotte Hornets did not have a starter-level center. As it turned out, they have two big men who are deserving to start: Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate. Eight games into the 2025-26 regular season, though, and it's evident that Kalkbrenner should already be a lock to hold onto the spot for the rest of the campaign.
The first-year pro has made quite an impact early in his Hornets tenure, providing the team with a weapon at the five that they have not had in a long time. The league has taken notice, too, as he continues to make some noise in NBA.com's Rookie Ladder, climbing up to No. 9 in the latest edition. Technically, though, he has leapfrogged over 25 of his draft classmates in the Rookie of the Year race after being selected No. 34 in the 2025 draft.
It would be shocking not to see Kalkbrenner rise further in rookie rankings as the months pass, unless Diabate supplants him in the starting lineup. However, the chances of that happening are slim to none because the Creighton University product has proven deserving of being there on the floor with the rest of the starters because of his two-way prowess.
Hornets' starting center job is Ryan Kalkbrenner's to lose
Only a few probably expected Kalkbrenner to be NBA-ready from the get-go, especially since he projected to be a slow-footed traditional big. While the assessment of his agility has been accurate, he has also proven to be more than just a paint-bound rim protector. He is already one of the league's premier shot-blockers, and on top of that, he and Victor Wembanyama are the only players averaging more than 2.0 blocks per game who have recorded at least 1.3 steals per contest.
The 23-year-old rook has exhibited exceptional defensive smarts and instincts, although he likely won't be receiving a lot of Defensive Player of the Year votes at the end of the season unless Charlotte as a team manages to show noteworthy progress on defense. There is plenty of optimism that the squad's defense will eventually make headway, thanks in large part to Kalkbrenner and fellow draft steal Sion James.
On offense, the Missouri native has also been quite a revelation, as he is leading all qualified players in field-goal percentage with 82.9 percent. Only time will tell if that number is sustainable, but even if it isn't, he has shown promise as a high-IQ player. He just needs to learn how to minimize his turnovers.
Given Kalkbrenner's value to the organization, Diabate has his work cut out for him if he wants to land the starting gig. The Frenchman may be the more tenacious rebounder, particularly on the defensive end, and have superior quickness and motor. However, he has not provided an indisputable reason to take over from Kalkbrenner.
Diabate appears to have embraced his role, though, and the Hornets are better off with him being one of their energy guys off the bench. Additionally, his skills still appear more raw, although this may be due to Kalkbrenner having spent five years competing against high-level opponents in college, whereas he had to wait until his third year in the NBA to secure a standard roster spot.
Hopefully, the franchise's unlikely one-two punch stays on track, or even eclipses expectations, in its development, as the duo can supply Charlotte with a strength that not many other squads have.