Renaldo Miguel Balkman (born July 14, 1984) is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player for Vaqueros de Bayamón of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN).

He played college basketball for the University of South Carolina before being selected with the 20th overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft by the New York Knicks.

Balkman was born in Staten Island, New York, and prior to attending Laurinburg Institute, he was at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Balkman was a little known player in high school at the Laurinburg Institute, but he was discovered in 2002 by University of South Carolina head coach Dave Odom, who instantly saw his potential.

I was sitting in Orlando in a gym with (South Carolina assistant coach) Barry Sanderson and I asked him 'who is that kid with the dreadlocks?

Balkman played an integral role in South Carolina's two wins over eventual national champion Florida during the 2005–06 college basketball season.

[3] For Balkman, a defensive banger whose style Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas had likened to Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest, the 2006 NIT MVP award was a fitting capper to a three-year college career that produced 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and a .553 shooting average.

The Knicks' choice of Balkman in the first round surprised many, notably ESPN's Jay Bilas, who noted that projected lottery pick Marcus Williams was still available as well as future All-Star guard Rajon Rondo.

ESPN columnist Bill Simmons, among others, joked that perhaps Isiah Thomas thought he was drafting Rolando Blackman, a former Knicks player and NBA All-Star.

[4] However, other analysts praised Balkman's work ethic and attitude, as he had transformed himself from a relatively unknown player into a first-round NBA draft pick over the course of a few months.

[6] In the Las Vegas Summer League before the 2006–07 season, Balkman averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1 block and 2.4 turnovers during the span of 5 games.

[7] He played along Knick teammates Channing Frye, David Lee, Nate Robinson and Mardy Collins, also represented by Buck.

The press praised Balkman, describing him as a "sparkplug off the bench" and a "crowd favorite for his hustle and enthusiastic defense," though he was criticized for his poor outside shooting.

On July 28, 2008, Balkman was traded to the Denver Nuggets along with cash considerations in exchange for Taurean Green, Bobby Jones, and a second-round pick in the 2010 draft.

On January 9, 2013, Balkman signed with the Petron Blaze Boosters of the Philippine Basketball Association to play in the 2013 Commissioner's Cup.

[17] On March 8, 2013, in a game against the Alaska Aces for a battle to earn the top spot, Balkman had a major outburst when he claimed he was fouled after shooting an airball inside the paint.

[31] On January 1, 2018, Balkman returned to the Philippines, playing for ASEAN Basketball League side San Miguel Alab Pilipinas.

[34] In February 2023, Balkman signed with Zamboanga Valientes to play at the ASEAN Basketball League invitational tournament.