Luke Kornet

Kornet is an American center who has built an NBA career as a stretch big with shot-blocking ability and a developing outside shot. Undrafted in 2017 after four seasons at Vanderbilt, he holds the NCAA record for three-pointers made by a player listed at seven feet or taller and is Vanderbilt's all-time leading shot blocker. He won an NBA championship with Boston in 2024.

Born on July 15, 1995, Kornet played four years at Vanderbilt University. He averaged 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.64 blocks over 128 games. As a senior, he averaged 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.00 blocks in 35 starts, earning All-SEC and All-SEC Defensive honors. He holds the Commodores record for blocked shots with 210 and the NCAA record for three-pointers by a seven-footer with 150. On January 12, 2016, he recorded the second triple-double in Vanderbilt history with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and a school-record 10 blocks against Auburn.

After going undrafted, Kornet signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks in July 2017. He made his NBA debut on February 8, 2018, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against Toronto, becoming the second Knicks rookie to debut with a double-double. He also hit three three-pointers and had four blocks, making him the first player in NBA history to record both in a debut.

Kornet later played for Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Boston. He signed with the Celtics in February 2022, re-signed in July 2022, and won the 2024 NBA championship when Boston defeated Dallas in five games. In July 2024, he re-signed with Boston again before later joining the San Antonio Spurs.

Kornet is a stretch center with legitimate three-point range and shot-blocking instincts. At seven feet, his ability to space the floor creates matchup problems for traditional bigs. He scores on pick-and-pops, spot-up threes, and short rolls. Defensively, he uses his length to contest shots and protect the rim, though lateral mobility limits his effectiveness in switch-heavy schemes. He is a situational contributor valued for size, shooting, and energy.