Hornets tab defensive ace to shore up frontline
Former college stars Ryan Kalkbrenner and Johni Broome were among the first five picks in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night, with Kalkbrenner, the 7-foot-1 center who won four straight Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards at Creighton, selected fourth for the night and No. 34 overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
Charlotte also picked Duke forward Sion James one selection earlier.
Broome, a consensus first-team All-American at Auburn who was The Sporting News’ National Player of the Year, was picked No. 35 overall by Philadelphia.
A 6-foot-9 forward, Broome averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks per game for the Tigers in his final year.
Kalkbrenner, meanwhile, put up 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per contest in his final year at Creighton.
The night began with a trade, as the Minnesota Timberwolves dealt the 31st overall pick to the Phoenix Suns for the 36th pick and two future second-rounders, ESPN reported. Phoenix used the opening pick of the second round on Saint Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming.
The 36th pick reportedly changed hands from Minnesota to Brooklyn to the LA Lakers, who chose Arkansas big man Adou Thiero.
Meanwhile, Boston agreed to trade French forward Noah Penda, the No. 32 pick, to Orlando for the 46th and 57th picks and second-round picks in 2026 and 2027.
