Hornets’ Ryan Kalkbrenner Sets NBA Record with 80.8% FG in 10 Games
Charlotte Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner has made a significant impact in the NBA this season. The 23-year-old center has set a remarkable record by achieving an 80.8% field goal percentage over his first ten games. This statistic is the highest ever recorded by any NBA player with at least 50 attempts in their initial ten games.
Kalkbrenner’s Record-Breaking Achievement
Kalkbrenner’s shooting accuracy stands out, as he successfully made 42 of his 52 field goal attempts. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Yao Ming, who shot 72% during his first ten games with the Houston Rockets.
Season Performance
- Games Played: 10
- Field Goals Made: 42
- Field Goals Attempted: 52
- Field Goal Percentage: 80.8%
- Points Per Game: 9.2
- Rebounds Per Game: 6.6
- Blocks Per Game: 2.3
In a recent game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kalkbrenner scored nine points and shot three of four from the field. He attributed much of his success to his teammates, stating that they consistently create easy scoring opportunities for him.
Background and College Career
Kalkbrenner was selected 34th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. His performance during college at Creighton was impressive. Over his five seasons, he led the Big East in field goal percentage in four seasons, shooting 65.8%. He averaged 18.3 points per game over his last two years and earned third-team All-American honors in 2024-25.
Coaching Insights
Hornets head coach Charles Lee praised Kalkbrenner for his offensive skills, emphasizing his basketball IQ and ability to score effectively. Lee mentioned, “We knew what we were gonna get when we drafted Ryan.” Kalkbrenner’s role on the team primarily involves capitalizing on scoring opportunities under the basket, contributing significantly to the team’s offense.
Team Performance
Despite Kalkbrenner’s outstanding shooting, the Hornets have struggled this season with a record of 3-7, ranking fourth in the Southeast Division. Kalkbrenner emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and resilience amidst the ups and downs of the NBA schedule.
As Ryan Kalkbrenner continues to showcase his talent, all eyes will be on how he can help the Hornets improve their standings this season.
