Creighton's Kalkbrenner Wins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award
OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton senior Ryan Kalkbrenner has been named recipient of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Saturday on ESPN. The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award is one of five men's awards to recognize the preeminent college basketball player at each position, also known as the Naismith Starting Five. The winners were determined by a combination of input from committees composed of top basketball personnel and Starting Five Fan Voting.
This year was Kalkbrenner's third straight year as a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, which had been won by National Player of the Year Zach Edey of Purdue the previous two seasons.
"I am humbled and honored to receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award," said Kalkbrenner. "Kareem is one of the all-time legends, not only in the game of basketball, but as a leader off the court as well. I thank my teammates and coaches for putting me in position for success and to those with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for this prestigious recognition."
Jabbar himself filmed a video for Kalkbrenner, saying "I want to congratulate you on what you achieved this year as the best center in the country in my opinion, anyway. If you keep up your habits of teamwork, and hard work, you're going to have a great NBA career."
A 7-foot-1 center from Florissant, Mo., Kalkbrenner leads 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 ranks second nationally in field goals made, third in blocked shots, fourth in field goal percentage, and 20th in points. He ranks second in Creighton history in blocked shots (399), points (2,443), rebounds (1,146) and field goal percentage (.658). Kalkbrenner was named the NABC's National Defensive Player of the Year and is one of 10 finalists for the Naismith Trophy, which will be announced on Sunday. 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.
The Hall of Fame selection committees, which included media members, coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers, determined the preseason watch list of 20 candidates in October. The list was narrowed to 10 candidates in February and five candidates in March before determining the winner. All season long, players were able to play their way into award consideration.
"The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the best in the game at every level, both men and women," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "The student-athletes receiving our Starting Five Awards exemplify the talent and character of the Hall of Famers these awards are named in honor of. We recognize this outstanding group as the next generation of basketball stars, and are confident they will continue to excel in all they do. Today, we celebrate their achievements as we officially name them the Men’s and Women’s 2025 Naismith Starting Five.”
Creighton finished the 2024-25 season with a 25-11 record and is one of four programs nationally to have won an NCAA Tournament game each of the last five seasons.
2025 Men’s Naismith Starting Five:
Braden Smith (Purdue) – Bob Cousy (Point Guard) Award
Chaz Lanier (Tennessee) – Jerry West (Shooting Guard) Award
Cooper Flagg (Duke) – Julius Erving (Small Forward) Award
Johni Broome (Auburn) – Karl Malone (Power Forward) Award
Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton) – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Center) Award
2025 Women’s Naismith Starting Five:
Paige Bueckers (UConn) – Nancy Lieberman (Point Guard) Award (two-time winner: 2021)
JuJu Watkins (USC) – Anne Meyers Drysdale (Shooting Guard) Award (two-time winner: 2024)
Madison Booker (Texas) – Cheryl Miller (Small Forward) Award (two-time winner: 2024)
Aneesah Morrow (LSU) – Katrina McClain (Power Forward) Award
Lauren Betts (UCLA) – Lisa Leslie (Center) Award