Ryan Kalkbrenner discusses decision to return to Creighton for fifth season

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Ryan Kalkbrenner’s decision to return to Creighton came down to a simple calculation from his agent and his circle.

“Unless we were 100 percent sure we could get a perfect opportunity and fit in the NBA, we were just going to not go through the process and waste a month,” he said. “That’s a month I could be focused on getting better.”

Turning pro now didn’t add up. Instead, the 7-foot-1 center will anchor the Bluejays frontcourt for a fifth and final season. For the first time in his career, Kalkbrenner will have an entire summer to focus solely on improvement.

“I’ve only had half of a summer every summer,” “So the idea was, how much better can I get if I actually have three full months where all I’m doing is spending as much time in the weight room and court as much as I can.”

Kalkbrenner saw what a full summer of work did for Baylor Scheierman, who posted a career-highs in points and three-pointers made last season. The big man is aiming to make a similar jump.

“If I can have that same sort of transformation, I could go from a second-round pick to a first-round pick,” he said. “That’s kind of the idea there.”

While his offseason will center around his individual goals, Kalkbrenner said he is thrilled to have one last go-around with the Bluejays and Greg McDermott.

“I wouldn’t be the player or person I am today without the people I’ve met here,” he said. “This place is really special to me, I love it here.”

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