NBA Comparison: Ante Tomic

Strengths: One of the most efficient interior scorers and most polished shot blockers in the 2025 draft class … At 7’1” with a 7’5” wingspan, Kalkbrenner anchors the paint with excellent size, length, and defensive discipline … A three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, he’s excellent with timing, consistently altering shots without fouling … His 2.7 blocks per game (3.1 in 2023-24) stand out as one of the top marks (fifth) in college basketball, reflecting his elite rim protection instincts … Dominates in drop coverage, where his positioning, communication, and patience shine … Offensively, he plays within himself—finishing plays, screening hard, and making the right reads … Excellent touch around the rim, strong hands, and a consistent finisher in pick-and-roll actions … Solid fluidity for a 7-footer, and runs the floor pretty well and with effort … Reliable lob threat who also shows comfort operating from the dunker spot and as a rim runner in transition … Flashes improved touch from the perimeter and hit 34.4% from three on limited attempts, with a promising 79.5% free throw mark hinting at future pick-and-pop potential … A high-floor, low-mistake player with great feel for his role and how to elevate teammates around him … 8.7 rebounds per game reflects his toughness in the paint and steady growth as a physical presence … Shows clear evidence of strength development throughout college, adding muscle to his long frame and embracing contact inside …

Weaknesses: Kalkbrenner’s lateral quickness and overall foot speed are average, raising concerns about his ability to switch or defend in space against smaller, faster players  at next level … Primarily a drop-coverage big, which may limit his fit in defensive schemes that emphasize mobility and switchability … Not a high leaper or second-jump athlete, which affects his ability to recover or impact shots after being pulled out of position … Offensively, he doesn’t create his own looks—most of his scoring comes off assisted plays … Face-up game and mid-post creation are limited, and he rarely handles the ball in traffic or makes plays off the dribble … Not a natural passer or playmaker—averaged just 0.3  assists per game, although that was a bit of an outlier as he averaged 1.1 apg over his five year college career … While he has stretch potential, his perimeter volume is low, and his release speed may limit his ability to consistently shoot over closeouts at the next level … May be more system-dependent than other bigs with versatile defensive tools … Shooting touch is just average, illustrated by his career 70.9% FT percentage …

Outlook: Kalkbrenner enters the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most experienced and efficient big men in the country, having averaged 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game in 2024–25 … He projects as a dependable rotational center who fits best in conservative defensive schemes that allow him to play in drop coverage and stay near the rim … His ability to protect the paint, finish efficiently, and anchor a team’s defensive principles gives him clear day-one chances … If his lateral agility continues to improve and his shooting volume increases, he could offer long-term value as a floor-spacing big with elite rim protection instincts … In a draft class light on traditional bigs with advanced feel and consistency, Kalkbrenner’s maturity and track record make him one of the safest bets to contribute early at the next level …

Notes: Measured 7′ 0.75” barefoot, 9′ 4.50” standing reach, 251.8 lbs and a 7′ 5.00” wingspan and a 28 inch standing vertical and a 30.5′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine … Born January 17, 2002 in St. Louis, Missouri …  Played five years at Creighton, starting 138 games and appearing in 169 … Four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2022–25) … Named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List … Averaged 19.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 2.7 BPG while shooting 65/3% FG, 34.4% 3PT, and 68.1% FT in 2024–25 … Academic All-Big East honoree and key leader on one of the nation’s most consistent programs …

Aran Smith 4/14/25