Luke Kornet

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Luke Kornet

| image = Celtics at Wizards 2024-12-029 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Kornet with the Boston Celtics in 2024

| position = Center

| height_ft = 7

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 250

| league = NBA

| team = San Antonio Spurs

| number = 7

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|15}}

| birth_place = Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.

| high_school = Liberty Christian School
(Argyle, Texas)

| college = Vanderbilt (2013–2017)

| draft_year = 2017

| career_start = 2017

| years1 = {{nbay|2017|start}}–{{nbay|2018|end}}

| team1 = New York Knicks

| years2 = 2017–2018

| team2 = →Westchester Knicks

| years3 = {{nbay|2019|start}}–{{nbay|2020|end}}

| team3 = Chicago Bulls

| years4 = {{nbay|2020|end}}

| team4 = Boston Celtics

| years5 = 2021–2022

| team5 = Maine Celtics

| years6 = {{nbay|2021|full=y}}

| team6 = Cleveland Cavaliers

| years7 = {{nbay|2021|end}}

| team7 = Milwaukee Bucks

| years8 = {{nbay|2021|end}}–{{nbay|2024|end}}

| team8 = Boston Celtics

| years9 = {{nbay|2025|start}}–present

| team9 = San Antonio Spurs

| highlights =

NBA champion (2024)
Third-team All-NBA G League (2018)
First-team All-SEC (2017)
2× SEC All-Defensive Team (2016, 2017)

}}

Luke Francis Kornet (born July 15, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Vanderbilt and is the all-time leader for blocked shots in the school's history and the NCAA all-time leader for three-pointers made by any player seven feet tall or taller.{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Sparks|title=How Vanderbilt's Luke Kornet became top 3-point shooting 7-footer in NCAA history|url=http://sports.usatoday.com/2017/02/03/how-vanderbilts-luke-kornet-became-top-3point-shooting-7footer-in-ncaa-history/|work=USAToday.com|date=February 3, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2017|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313130823/http://sports.usatoday.com/2017/02/03/how-vanderbilts-luke-kornet-became-top-3point-shooting-7footer-in-ncaa-history/|url-status=live}} Kornet became an NBA champion upon winning the 2024 NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics. He is known to some Celtics fans by the nickname “The Green Kornet”, though that involves a mis-pronunciation of his name.{{cite web|first=Taylor|last=Snow|title= Charlotte Hornets No Match for Boston's 'Green Kornet'|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-post-20241102-charlotte-hornets-no-match-for-bostons-green-kornet|work=nba.com|date=November 3, 2024}}

College career

Kornet averaged 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.64 blocks over 24.1 minutes in 128 games during his four-year career at Vanderbilt University. During his senior year with the Commodores, Kornet 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 NCAA record for three-pointers made by a 7-footer with 150 and is the Commodores' all-time leading shot blocker with 210.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/kornet|title=Knicks Sign Luke Kornet To Two-Way Contract|work=NBA.com|date=July 3, 2017|accessdate=July 3, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704003741/http://www.nba.com/knicks/kornet/|url-status=live}} On January 12, 2016, Kornet blocked a school-record 10 shots and finished with the second triple-double in Vanderbilt history with 11 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Commodores defeat Auburn 75–57.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400830390|title=Vanderbilt snaps 3-game SEC skid by beating Auburn 75-57|work=ESPN.com|date=January 12, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225031342/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400830390|url-status=live}}

Professional career

=New York Knicks (2017–2019)=

After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, Kornet joined the New York Knicks for the 2017 NBA Summer League. On July 3, 2017, he signed a two-way contract with the Knicks. On February 8, 2018, with his parents in attendance, Kornet made his NBA debut against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. Kornet finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes, thus being the second Knicks rookie in history to debut with a double-double. He also finished with four blocks, making him the first player in NBA history to sink three three-pointers and have four blocks in his debut.{{cite web|title=Knicks vs. Raptors - Box Score|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400975558|work=ESPN.com|date=February 8, 2018|access-date=April 28, 2018|archive-date=April 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429092222/http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400975558|url-status=live}}

On July 6, 2018, Kornet signed a standard contract with the Knicks.{{cite web |last=Ballow |first=Jonah |date=July 6, 2018 |title=NEW YORK KNICKS SIGN LUKE KORNET |url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/new-york-knicks-sign-luke-kornet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926224925/https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/new-york-knicks-sign-luke-kornet |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2018 |website=NBA.com}} On April 9, 2019, he recorded a double-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high six blocks in a 96–86 victory over the Chicago Bulls.{{cite web|title=Knicks' Luke Kornet: Hosts a block party Tuesday|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/knicks-luke-kornet-hosts-a-block-party-tuesday/|website=CBSSports.com|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410071002/https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/knicks-luke-kornet-hosts-a-block-party-tuesday/|url-status=live}}

=Chicago Bulls (2019–2021)=

On July 17, 2019, Kornet signed a fully guaranteed two-year contract for $4.5 million with the Chicago Bulls.{{cite web|title=Bulls reportedly agree to two-year, fully guaranteed deal with Luke Kornet|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/bulls-reportedly-agree-two-year-fully-guaranteed-deal-luke-kornet|work=NBCSports.com|date=July 17, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718215939/https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/bulls-reportedly-agree-two-year-fully-guaranteed-deal-luke-kornet|url-status=live}}

=Boston Celtics (2021)=

On March 25, 2021, Kornet was traded to the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade involving the Washington Wizards.{{cite web|title=Celtics Acquire Moe Wagner, Luke Kornet in 3-Team Trade|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-moe-wagner-luke-kornet-3-team-trade|website=NBA.com|date=March 25, 2021|access-date=March 26, 2021|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326122123/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-moe-wagner-luke-kornet-3-team-trade|url-status=live}} He re-signed with the Celtics on October 16,{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Adams|title=Celtics Sign Luke Kornet, Chris Clemons To Camp Deals|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/10/celtics-sign-luke-kornet-chris-clemons-to-camp-deals.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=October 16, 2021|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019100030/https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/10/celtics-sign-luke-kornet-chris-clemons-to-camp-deals.html|url-status=live}} but was waived later that day.{{cite tweet|author=Keith Smith|number=1449501516344266752|title=Official Boston Celtics waivers: Chris Clemons Luke Kornet Garrison Mathews Theo Pinson Boston now has 16 players under contract. 15 standard deals, 1 Two-Way deal. One Two-Way spot remains open for the Celtics.|user=KeithSmithNBA|date=October 16, 2021|access-date=October 23, 2021}}

=Maine Celtics (2021)=

On October 23, Kornet signed with the Maine Celtics as an affiliate player.{{cite web|title=Celtics Acquire Two In Draft, Announce Training Camp Roster|url=https://maine.gleague.nba.com/news/draft-camp-102321/|website=NBA.com|date=October 23, 2021|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023222730/https://maine.gleague.nba.com/news/draft-camp-102321/|url-status=live}} In 10 games, he averaged 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 blocks in 27.4 minutes per contest.{{cite web |last=Gold |first=Matthew |date=December 21, 2021 |title=Cavaliers Sign Justin Anderson and Luke Kornet |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/player-signings-211221 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221163648/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/player-signings-211221 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=NBA.com}}

=Cleveland Cavaliers (2021–2022)=

On December 21, 2021, Kornet signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

=Milwaukee Bucks (2022)=

On January 3, 2022, Kornet signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.{{cite web |title=Milwaukee Bucks Sign Luke Kornet To A 10-day Contract |url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-sign-luke-kornet-10-day-contract |website=NBA.com |access-date=January 3, 2022 |date=January 3, 2022 |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103170140/https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-sign-luke-kornet-10-day-contract |url-status=live }}

=Return to Maine (2022)=

On January 14, 2022, Kornet was reacquired by the Maine Celtics.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2021-22 NBA G League transactions|date=January 14, 2022|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306044025/https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|url-status=live}}

=Return to Boston (2022–2025)=

File:Celtics at Wizards 2024-12-030.jpg

On February 11, 2022, Kornet signed a contract with the Boston Celtics for the rest of the season. The Celtics made it to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games despite a 2–1 lead.{{cite web|first=Bobby|last=Krivitsky|title=Celtics Sign Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet to Standard Contracts, Can Now Add Players Via 10-Day Deals|url=https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/celtics-sign-sam-hauser-luke-kornet-to-standard-contracts-can-now-add-players-via-10-day-deals|website=SI.com|date=February 11, 2022|access-date=February 11, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211210642/https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/celtics-sign-sam-hauser-luke-kornet-to-standard-contracts-can-now-add-players-via-10-day-deals|archive-date=February 11, 2022}}

On July 1, 2022, Kornet re-signed with the Celtics on a two-year, $4,546,582 contract, including $2,133,278 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $2,273,291.{{cite web|title=Celtics Re-Sign Kornet|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-re-sign-kornet|website=NBA.com|date=July 9, 2022|access-date=July 12, 2022}}

In 2023–24, Kornet earned a base salary of $2,413,304.{{cite web|title=Luke Kornet|url=https://www.spotrac.com/nba/boston-celtics/luke-kornet-23670/|website=Spotrac.com|access-date=December 9, 2023}} He became an NBA champion when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals.

On July 2, 2024, Kornet re-signed with the Celtics.{{cite web|title=Boston Celtics Re-Sign Kornet|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press-release-240702-boston-celtics-re-sign-kornet|website=NBA.com|date=July 2, 2024|access-date=July 2, 2024}}

= San Antonio Spurs (2025–present) =

On June 30, 2025, Kornet agreed to a four-year, $41 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/san-antonio-spurs/news/spurs-41-million-7-foot-1-center-victor-wembanyama/11ffc3f507e4c80e3daa562f|title=Spurs sign 7-foot-1 center Luke Kornet to 4-year, $41M deal|publisher=Sporting News|date=June 30, 2025}} He formally signed with the Spurs on July 7, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-sign-luke-kornet|title=Spurs Sign Luke Kornet|website=NBA.com|date=July 7, 2025|access-date=July 7, 2025}}

Player Profile

Kornet is known for developing an unorthodox method of shot contesting that he calls "The Eclipse". In this technique, also known as the "Kornet Contest", Kornet jumps with both hands raised and centered over his head, no matter the distance from the shooter. The goal is to visually block the basket and distract the shooter while avoiding the possibility of a foul for contact.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9Yf9QJd3f8 |title=The "Kornet Kontest" - A Look at Luke Kornet's Defensive Specialty |date=2022-11-22 |last=NBC Sports Boston |access-date=2024-10-12 |via=YouTube}} As of December 6, 2022, opposing shooters were 5 for 18 on shot attempts against Kornet's Eclipse. While a small sample size, this conversion rate of 28% was well below the league average of 38% made on 3-point field goal attempts. The Eclipse has been attempted by other players including Marcus Smart and Jalen Duren.{{cite web|first=Stephen|last=Noh|title=The Luke Kornet contest, explained: Does Celtics center's eclipse technique on defense actually work|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/luke-kornet-contest-eclipse-defense-celtics/d90pcnahh9ymrexqtebvpux8|work=The Sporting News|date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=May 31, 2024}}

Career statistics

=NBA=

==Regular season==

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2017}}

| style="text-align:left;"| New York

| 20 || 1 || 16.3 || .392 || .354 || .727 || 3.2 || 1.3 || .3 || .8 || 6.7

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2018}}

| style="text-align:left;"| New York

| 46 || 18 || 17.0 || .378 || .363 || .826 || 2.9 || 1.2 || .6 || .9 || 7.0

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2019}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago

| 36 || 14 || 15.5 || .438 || .287 || .714 || 2.3 || .9 || .3 || .7 || 6.0

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2| {{nbay|2020}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Chicago

| 13 || 0 || 7.2 || .333 || .261 || .500 || 1.2 || .3 || .2 || .5 || 2.0

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 18 || 2 || 14.1 || .473 || .250 || .500 || 2.9 || 1.1 || .1 || 1.4 || 4.4

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=3| {{nbay|2021}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Cleveland

| 2 || 0 || 7.4 || .200 || .000 || .667 || 1.5 || .5 || .0 || .5 || 2.0

| style="text-align:left;"| Milwaukee

| 1 || 0 || 3.0 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 12 || 0 || 7.1 || .571 || .000 || .667 || 2.1 || .7 || .3 || .2 || 2.2

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 69 || 0 || 11.7 || .665 || .231 || .821 || 2.9 || .8 || .2 || .7 || 3.8

| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|2023}}{{dagger}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 63 || 7 || 15.6 || .700 || 1.000 || .907 || 4.1 || 1.1 || .4 || 1.0 || 5.3

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2024}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 73 || 16 || 18.6 || .668 || .000 || .691 || 5.3 || 1.6 || .5 || 1.0 || 6.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 353 || 58 || 14.9 || .536 || .321 || .770 || 3.5 || 1.1 || .3 || .8 || 5.2

==Playoffs==

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 2 || 0 || 2.7 || 1.000 || {{sort|-|—}} || .500 || 1.5 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 1.5

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 9 || 0 || 2.1 || .750 || 1.000 || {{sort|-|—}} || .6 || .1 || .0 || .0 || .8

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 8 || 0 || 4.0 || .875 || 1.000 || 1.000 || 1.3 || .0 || .0 || .1 || 2.1

| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| 2024{{dagger}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 13 || 0 || 10.2 || .667 || {{sort|-|—}} || .846 || 3.2 || .5 || .1 || .4 || 3.0

| style="text-align:left;"| 2025

| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

| 11 || 1 || 16.4 || .724 || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.000 || 3.9 || .5 || .5 || 1.2 || 4.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 43 || 1 || 8.6 || .730 || 1.000 || .880 || 2.4 || .3 || .2 || .4 || 2.7

=College=

| style="text-align:left;"|2013–14

| style="text-align:left;"|Vanderbilt

| 30 || 2 || 15.4 || .344 || .236 || .533 || 2.3 || .8 || .3 || .6 || 4.0

| style="text-align:left;"|2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"|Vanderbilt

| 35 || 14 || 21.6 || .495 || .400 || .764 || 3.4 || 1.1 || .2 || 1.1 || 8.7

| style="text-align:left;"|2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"|Vanderbilt

| 28 || 25 || 27.4 || .403 || .280 || .690 || 7.3 || 1.5 || .5 || 3.0 || 8.9

| style="text-align:left;"|2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"|Vanderbilt

| 35 || 35 || 31.5 || .406 || .327 || .857 || 6.2 || 1.2 || .5 || 2.0 || 13.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 128 || 76 || 24.1 || .417 || .320 || .779 || 4.8 || 1.1 || .4 || 1.6 || 8.9

Personal life

Kornet is the son of former Vanderbilt and NBA player Frank Kornet and Nashville television news anchor Tracy Kornet.{{cite web|last=Sparks|first=Adam|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2016/10/19/vanderbilts-luke-kornet-gets-support-not-critiques-famous-parents/92071120/|title=Vanderbilt's Luke Kornet gets support, not critiques, from famous parents|work=Tennessean.com|date=October 19, 2016|accessdate=July 3, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225031323/https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2016/10/19/vanderbilts-luke-kornet-gets-support-not-critiques-famous-parents/92071120/|url-status=live}} His sister Nicole played basketball at Oklahoma and UCLA. He also has a brother named John.{{Cite web |url=http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/luke_kornet_849753.html |title=Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Vanderbilt University |access-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618153201/http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/luke_kornet_849753.html |archive-date=June 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

Kornet is a Catholic and maintains a blog of churches he visits during his playing career.{{Cite web |title=Don’t Pass the Rock: The Catholic Churches of the 2022–23 NBA Season |url=https://lukekornet.medium.com/dont-pass-the-rock-the-catholic-churches-of-the-2022-23-nba-season-87003045e4b0 |website=Medium.com |language=en}} Kornet is married to his wife Tierney and has two children as of 2022.{{Cite web |last=Terada |first=Souichi |date=2022-11-10 |title=Celtics' Luke Kornet welcomed 2nd child, which is why he left Knicks game early |url=https://masslive.com/celtics/2022/11/celtics-luke-kornet-welcomed-2nd-child-which-is-why-he-left-knicks-game-early.html |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=masslive |language=en}}