The 2025 NBA Draft concluded last Thursday night, and six players with ties to Omaha have new cities to call home.
Ryan Kalkbrenner became the sixth Creighton basketball player to be selected in the NBA Draft since 2014, when the Charlotte Hornets selected him in the second round, No. 34 overall. Kalkbrenner is one of the greatest Bluejays ever, ranking second in program history in points, rebounds, blocks, field goals made and field-goal percentage. He is one of only two players in Big East history to be named Defensive Player of the Year four times, joining Patrick Ewing.
Jamiya Neal will be joining Kalkbrenner in Charlotte, as the Hornets signed him to a Summer League contract after the NBA Draft concluded. Neal averaged 12.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in his lone season with Creighton and will look to earn a more permanent spot in the NBA with his play in the NBA Summer League.
Steven Ashworth signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers after going undrafted. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum deal. It is generally used by teams to add to their Summer League and G League rosters. Ashworth will play for the Pacers in the NBA Summer League and then most likely the Noblesville Boom in the G League.
John Tonje, formerly of Omaha Central High School, was selected in the second round, No. 53 overall by the Utah Jazz. Tonje began his college career at Colorado State University before transferring to Missouri and finally Wisconsin, where he was a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection. Tonje is just the fourth Badger since 2015 to be selected in the NBA Draft.
Chucky Hepburn, a former Omaha Metro basketball standout at Bellevue West High School, agreed to a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors after going undrafted. A two-way contract pays a player based on the league they are playing in, whether that’s the NBA or a G League affiliate. Hepburn played his first three seasons at Wisconsin before transferring to Louisville for his senior season. In his lone season with the Cardinals, Hepburn became the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a First Team All-ACC selection.
Hunter Sallis, hailing from Millard North High School, went undrafted but quickly signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Sallis spent two seasons at Gonzaga before transferring to Wake Forest to finish his college career. In his two seasons at Wake Forest, he became the 10th player in program history to earn multiple First Team All-ACC honors. Sallis’ 18.3 points per game last season ranked fifth among all ACC players.
Former Bluejay Trey Alexander was informed on Friday that he wouldn’t be extended a qualifying offer by the Denver Nuggets, making him an undrafted free agent. Alexander was playing on a two-way contract for the Nuggets last season, averaging just 4.9 minutes per game over 24 appearances in NBA games. He was the G League Rookie of the Year, averaging 25.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in 30 appearances with the Grand Rapids Gold.
Union Omaha fell to San Antonio FC Saturday, 1-0, in USL Cup play. The Owls’ next match is Saturday, July 5 at 10 p.m. against AV Alta FC. All USL League One matches can be streamed on ESPN+.
Major League Baseball announced rosters for the 2025 All-Star Futures Game, and Omaha Storm Chasers catcher Carter Jensen will represent the Kansas City Royals. Jensen is currently ranked as the No. 80 prospect in baseball, No. 10 catching prospect and No. 3 in the Royals organization. Jensen was drafted No. 78 overall by the Royals in the 2021 MLB draft out of high school and just completed his first week at the Triple-A level after being promoted from Double-A on June 23.
Creighton volleyball will begin its 2025 regular-season in the AVCA First Serve against defending national champion Penn State. While the match was announced in February, the match time and broadcast information were finalized on Monday. Creighton and Penn State will face off at Pinnacle Bank Arena at 4 p.m. on August 23. Fans who cannot make the trip to Lincoln can watch the game on Fox Sports 1.
Creighton basketball will compete in the Players Era Men’s Championship in Las Vegas for the second year in a row and will begin the tournament against a pair of Big 12 Conference powerhouses. Creighton will play Baylor at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 24 and Iowa State on November 25 at 1:30 p.m. A third game will be played either November 26 or 27, depending on the seed each team earns after the first two games.
Isaac Collins, a former Creighton baseball star and current Milwaukee Brewer, had a career-best, three-hit game Wednesday that included a solo home run in the eighth inning. Collins, drafted in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies, made his MLB debut in September of 2024 with the Brewers. This season, he’s batting .268 with five home runs and 20 RBIs.
The Omaha Storm Chasers host the Iowa Cubs in game three of this week’s series, tied 1-1, tonight at 7:08 p.m. They will play tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. with Independence Day fireworks following the game.
Upcoming Games
• Union Omaha at AV Alta FC | Saturday, July 5 | 10 p.m.
• Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Iowa Cubs | July 1 – July 6 | 7:08 p.m. Tonight
