Ryan Kalkbrenner saw his name mentioned in conjunction with another Big East player who enjoyed a storied NBA career at Madison Square Garden.

Kalkbrenner was named the Big East defensive player of the year for the fourth straight season. He's the second player in conference history to earn the award four times. Georgetown great Patrick Ewing is the only other player to receive the honor four times.

Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner made history on Monday as he was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth straight season. Kalkbrenner is the second player in league history to be named Defensive Player of the Year four times,

Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner will go down as one of the best players in program history, even if he'd never admit it. Everyone else would, though.

Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner has made history as he’s won his fourth consecutive Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award. For the fourth consecutive year, Kalkbrenner has beaten some of the best defenders that the Big East has ever seen and is now in special company.

Creighton basketball is gearing up for tournament play and the Big East postseason awards are starting to roll in. While there were a number of awards up for grabs in the conference this season, one of them was never in doubt.