Ever since the NCAA allowed players to stick around for a fifth season, we’ve seen quite a few college stars decide to take up that offer. Following the same, Creighton’s very own Ryan Kalkbrenner had opted out of the 2024 NBA Draft back in May. The towering 7-foot-1 center has now returned to the Bluejays with a bang. If his first game back is any sign of things to come, we have a lot more to look forward to.

For those wondering, Kalkbrenner was projected as a borderline second-round NBA pick. It surely is a big thing, but for someone like him, already a three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, the potential was there to raise his draft stock even higher. 

Back in 2020, when COVID-19 disrupted college sports, the NCAA decided to grant an extra year of eligibility to student-athletes. For some players, it’s about finishing their education; for others, like Creighton’s prodigy, it was a golden chance to secure a brighter future in the pros.

His longer stay could build up his stats and experience, improving his chances of landing a higher draft spot. And who knows? He could be a serious contender for the NBA’s first round in 2025—and the recent game screams the possibilities are high.

In addition, he can take advantage of lucrative NIL opportunities and refine his skills. For example, his offense. We already know that he has established himself on the offensive end, posting 20 or more points 11 times – including 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocks in a January win over Seton Hall. However, now, he gets time to polish it and make a bigger splash.

Over all these years, his scoring has steadily climbed each season. He was irreplaceable in the NCAA tournament, averaging 8.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in three games. 

Another reason could be that former Creighton star Trey Alexander transitioned to the NBA. Hence, the spotlight is even more on Kalkbrenner to lead the offense. Well, he didn’t miss a chance and went all out, scoring 49 points (!!) in Creighton’s season opener. 

Ryan Kalkbrenner tips off fifth season with a historic 49-point performance

It is the second-highest-scoring performance in Creighton history. The 22-year-old did it shooting 90% from the field (20-for-22!). Not only that, he snagged 11 rebounds, dropped a couple of assists, and blocked three shots. 

At one point, the crowd was chanting for him to hit 50, but he had no idea how close he was. When he finally checked out to a standing ovation, he looked up at the scoreboard and just shrugged it off with a “pretty good game.”

What makes this performance even more amazing is that it’s coming from a player known for his defense. Up to this point, the center has been the backbone of Creighton’s defense, shutting down opponents with ease. But in his final season, it’s clear he’s out to show that he’s more than just a defensive wall. He scored with both hands, bagged a couple of threes, and just dominated from start to finish, making the crowd go crazy as they cheered, “MVP! MVP!”

The team’s head coach, Greg McDermott, said, “He’s one of the best players to ever play here, and there have been some really good players that have played here.” So, as Kalkbrenner has a whole year ahead of him, let’s see how he makes the most out of it!