Chet Holmgren

Holmgren was born on May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=Brian |title=Coveted recruit Chet Holmgren is headed to Gonzaga, but should we really be surprised? |url=https://theathletic.co.uk/2529953/2021/04/19/coveted-recruit-chet-holmgren-is-headed-to-gonzaga-but-should-we-really-be-surprised/ |access-date=December 4, 2021 |work=The Athletic |date=April 19, 2021}} He grew up playing basketball under the tutelage of his father, Dave Holmgren, who stands {{cvt|7|ft|0|in}} tall and played college basketball for the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1988. In sixth grade, Holmgren began attending Minnehaha Academy, a Christian private school in Minneapolis. He stood {{Height|ft=6|in=2}} at the time and was teammates with current Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, whom he played alongside through high school. Holmgren improved his shooting range while recovering from a broken right wrist during his first season.{{cite web |last1=Borzello |first1=Jeff |last2=Biancardi |first2=Paul |author-link2=Paul Biancardi |name-list-style=and |date=April 19, 2021 |title=Chet Holmgren, No. 1 HS recruit in Class of 2021, commits to Gonzaga |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31289665 |access-date=April 19, 2021 |publisher=ESPN}} By ninth grade, he had grown to {{height|ft=6|in=9}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/chet-holmgren-story/|title=Big Stepper: Chet Holmgren's Game Keeps Growing|publisher=Slam|first=Ryan|last=Jones|date=November 28, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2020}}

As a freshman at Minnehaha Academy, Holmgren averaged 6.2 points and three rebounds per game.{{cite web |last=Gardner |first=David |title=Once 'A Pile of Bricks,' Chet Holmgren Is Now Basketball's Dream House |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2865240-once-a-pile-of-bricks-chet-holmgren-is-now-basketballs-dream-house |publisher=Bleacher Report |access-date=June 26, 2020 |date=December 4, 2019}} His team won its second straight Class 2A state championship.{{cite web |last=Paulsen |first=Jim |title=Minnehaha Academy, driven by larger purpose, defends 2A title with victory over Caledonia |url=https://www.mnbasketballhub.com/news_article/show/901041 |website=MN Basketball Hub |access-date=January 15, 2020 |date=March 24, 2018}} In his sophomore season, Holmgren averaged 18.6 points and 11 rebounds per game and led his team to another Class 2A state title. After the season, he had success with his Amateur Athletic Union team Grassroots Sizzle at the Under Armour Association, earning tournament most valuable player honors. As a result, he emerged as one of the highest ranked players in the 2021 class and started receiving more NCAA Division I interest. In August 2019, Holmgren attracted national attention for crossing over NBA superstar Stephen Curry at Curry's own SC30 Select Camp.{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dalton |title=Watch Steph Curry get crossed by 7-foot high school star Chet Holmgren |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/watch-steph-curry-get-crossed-7-foot-high-school-star-chet-holmgren |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=June 26, 2020 |date=August 7, 2019}}

On January 4, 2020, as a junior, Holmgren recorded nine points, 10 rebounds, and 12 blocks in a nationally televised victory over Sierra Canyon School, a nationally ranked team featuring Bronny James, Brandon Boston Jr., and Ziaire Williams.{{cite news|url=https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/04/high-school-basketball-minnehaha-academy-wins-high-profile-showdown-with-nationally-ranked-sierra-canyon/|title=Minnehaha Academy wins high-profile basketball showdown with nationally ranked Sierra Canyon|publisher=St. Paul Pioneer Press|first=Jace|last=Frederick|date=January 4, 2020|access-date=March 21, 2020}} In his junior season, he averaged 14.3 points per game, leading Minnehaha to a 25–3 record.{{cite web |last=Polacheck |first=Jacob |title=Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren is No. 1 in Class of 2021 rankings |date=June 12, 2020 |url=https://www.zagsblog.com/2020/06/12/minnehaha-academys-chet-holmgren-is-no-1-in-class-of-2021-rankings/ |publisher=Zagsblog |access-date=June 26, 2020}}

As a senior, averaging 21 points and 12.3 rebounds, Holmgren won the Class 3A state title, his fourth state championship at Minnehaha.{{cite web |last=Frederick |first=Jace |title=State boys basketball: Chet Holmgren goes out in style as Minnehaha Academy cruises to Class 3A crown |url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/04/10/state-boys-basketball-chet-holmgren-goes-out-in-style-as-minnehaha-academy-cruises-to-class-3a-crown/ |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |access-date=April 11, 2021 |date=April 10, 2021}} He was named Mr. Basketball USA, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, and Minnesota Mr. Basketball.{{cite web |date=March 11, 2021 |title=Chet Holmgren and Raven Johnson Win 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Trophy for Player of the Year |url=https://naismithtrophy.com/chet-holmgren-and-raven-johnson-win-2021-jersey-mikes-naismith-high-school-trophy-for-player-of-the-year |access-date=April 11, 2021 |website=naismithtrophy.com}}{{cite web |title=Azzi Fudd, Chet Holmgren named 2021 Morgan Wootten Players of the Year |url=https://theathletic.com/news/azzi-fudd-chet-holmgren-named-2021-morgan-wootten-players-of-the-year/uNJnJcAuqLCk |website=The Athletic |access-date=April 11, 2021 |date=April 1, 2021}}

Entering his junior season, Holmgren had about 30 scholarship offers from college basketball programs.{{cite news|url=https://www.maxpreps.com/news/ty3ZqrBrEUukh2LKW8KhUw/minnehaha-academy-7-footer-chet-holmgren-might-be-the-most-unique-prospect-in-high-school-basketball.htm|title=Minnehaha Academy 7-footer Chet Holmgren might be the most unique prospect in high school basketball|publisher=MaxPreps|first=Greg|last=Bates|date=January 23, 2020|access-date=March 21, 2020}} In June 2020, after the reclassification of Jonathan Kuminga, he became the number one player in the 2021 class, according to ESPN. On April 19, 2021, Holmgren announced his commitment and signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Gonzaga, following his former high school teammate Jalen Suggs.{{cite press release|url=https://gozags.com/news/2021/4/19/mens-basketball-nations-no-1-recruit-signs-with-gonzaga.aspx |title=Nation's No. 1 Recruit Signs with Gonzaga |publisher=Gonzaga Bulldogs |date=April 19, 2021 |accessdate=April 20, 2021}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2021}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Chet Holmgren

| position = C

| hometown = Minneapolis, MN

| highschool = Minnehaha Academy (MN)

| feet = 7

| inches = 0

| weight = 195

| 40 =

| commitdate = April 19, 2021

| scout stars =

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

| espn grade = 97

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit End

| 40 =

| year = 2021

| rivals ref title = Gonzaga 2021 Basketball Commitments

| scout ref title =

| espn ref title = 2021 Gonzaga Bulldogs Recruiting Class

| rivals school = gonzaga

| scout s =

| espn schoolid = 2250

| 247 overall = 1

| rivals overall = 1

| espn overall = 1

| accessdate = June 22, 2021

| bball = yes

}}

File:Chet Holmgren.jpg in 2021]]

In his college debut, Holmgren tallied 14 points, 13 rebounds, seven blocks, and six assists in a 97–63 victory over Dixie State. He became the first player in 25 years to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks in his debut.{{cite news|last=Meehan|first=Jim|date=November 9, 2021|title=Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren impressive in debut, leads Gonzaga past Dixie State 97-63|work=The Spokesman-Review|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/nov/09/gonzagas-chet-holmgren-impressive-in-debut-leads-g/|access-date=November 10, 2021}} On November 22, the seven-foot freshman finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 3 for 3 at the free-throw line. At the conclusion of the regular season, Holmgren was named West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.{{cite press release|url=https://wccsports.com/news/2022/3/2/mens-basketball-timme-tabbed-wcc-player-of-the-year.aspx|title=Timme Tabbed WCC Player Of The Year|publisher=West Coast Conference |date=March 2, 2022 |access-date=March 2, 2022}} At the NCAA tournament, Holmgren recorded 19 points, 17 rebounds, seven blocks and five assists in their 93–72 opening-round victory over Georgia State.{{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10030074-chet-holmgren-gonzaga-fend-off-georgia-states-upset-bid-in-march-madness-round-1|title=Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga Fend off Georgia State's Upset Bid in March Madness Round 1|work=Bleacher Report|first=Paul|last=Kasabian|date=March 17, 2022|access-date=March 18, 2022}} As a freshman, he averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game.

On April 21, 2022, Holmgren declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.{{Cite web |last=Wojnarowski |first=Adrian |author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Gonzaga center Holmgren entering NBA draft |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33779548 |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}

Holmgren was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, making him the highest-selected draft pick ever taken out of Gonzaga{{cite news|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2022/06/23/nba-draft-2022-okc-thunder-selects-gonzaga-chet-holmgren-no-2/7711327001/|title=NBA Draft 2022: OKC Thunder selects Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren with No. 2 overall pick|work=The Oklahoman|first=Joe|last=Mussatto|date=June 23, 2022|access-date=June 25, 2022}} and the highest-drafted pick from the state of Minnesota, topping Kevin McHale, who was taken third overall in 1980.{{Cite news |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Chet Holmgren, taken second overall, is highest drafted Minnesotan in NBA history |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesotan-chet-holmgren-is-second-pick-in-nba-draft/600184796/ |access-date=June 23, 2020}} Holmgren joined the Thunder's 2022 NBA Summer League roster.{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma City Thunder 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2022/vegas/team/1610612760/thunder |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=nba.com}} In his Summer League debut, Holmgren scored 23 points with seven rebounds, four assists, and six blocks in a 98–77 win against the Utah Jazz. He also broke the record for the most blocks in a single Summer League game.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-news-chet-holmgren-fires-warning-shot-after-breaking-nba-summer-league-record/|title=Chet Holmgren fires warning shot after breaking NBA Summer League record|work=ClutchPoints|last=Salao|first=Renzo|date=July 5, 2022|access-date=July 9, 2022}} On July 5, 2022, Holmgren signed a rookie-scale contract with the Thunder.{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2022 |title=Thunder Signs First-Round Draft Picks, Chet Holmgren Ousmane Dieng and Jalen Williams |url=https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/picks-signed-220705 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=nba.com}} However, on August 25, it was announced that he would miss the entire 2022–23 NBA season due to a Lisfranc injury in his foot that occurred during a Pro-am game.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2022 |others=Contributed by Bobby Marks and The Associated Press |title=Holmgren to miss '22-23 season with foot injury |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34457655 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}

On October 25, 2023, Holmgren made his NBA regular-season debut, putting up 11 points and four rebounds in a 124–104 win over the Chicago Bulls.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-news-chet-holmgren-honest-feelings-on-nba-debut-after-redshirt-season|title=Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren's honest feelings on NBA debut after redshirt season|work=ClutchPoints|last=Pagaduan|first=Jedd|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023}} On October 27, Holmgren put up 16 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks in a 108–105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, breaking the franchise record for most blocks in a single game by a rookie.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-news-chet-holmgren-insane-stat-line-vs-cavs-sparks-rookie-of-the-year-buzz|title=Thunder center Chet Holmgren's insane stat line vs. Cavs sparks Rookie of the Year buzz|work=ClutchPoints|last=Pagaduan|first=Jedd|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023}} On November 18, Holmgren put up a career-high 36 points along with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers in a 130–123 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors. He also joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies in NBA history to put up at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and two three-pointers made in a game.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-news-chet-holmgren-heroics-vs-stephen-curry-warriors-fuels-roy-buzz|title=Chet Holmgren's Thunder heroics vs. Stephen Curry, Warriors fuels ROY buzz|work=ClutchPoints|last=Guinhawa|first=Angelo|date=November 18, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}} On December 4, Holmgren was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October/November.{{cite web |date=December 4, 2023 |title=Chet Holmgren Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month |url=https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release-holmgren-231204 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=NBA.com}} On April 25, Holmgren led the Thunder to a 124–92 Game 2 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, with 26 points and seven rebounds. He became the first rookie in NBA playoff history to score 25 or more points and put up a +25 plus/minus ratio in a game, and was the first rookie in Thunder franchise history to score at least 25 points and grab five rebounds in the playoffs.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Chet Holmgren makes NBA Playoff history |url=https://www.si.com/college/gonzaga/basketball/chet-holmgren-makes-nba-playoff-history |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=Gonzaga Nation |language=en-US}}

On November 10, 2024, in a game against the Golden State Warriors, Holmgren took a hard fall on his right side after challenging an Andrew Wiggins drive. He was subsequently diagnosed with a right iliac wing fracture in his pelvis and returned to play on February 7, 2025.{{Cite web |last=West |first=Jenna |last2=Katz |first2=Fred |date=6 February 2025 |title=Thunder’s Chet Holmgren set to return from hip injury: How he boosts OKC’s versatility |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6118612/2025/02/06/chet-holmgren-return-okc-thunder-nba/?source=athletic_thebounce_newsletter&campaign=12471156&userId=15589715 |access-date=7 February 2025 |website=The Athletic |publisher=The New York Times}}

Holmgren represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Latvia. He averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks per game, leading his team to a gold medal, and earned tournament MVP honors.{{cite web |date=July 11, 2021 |title=Chet Holmgren takes home TISSOT MVP award after helping USA to U19 World Cup title |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2021/news/chet-holmgren-takes-home-tissot-mvp-award-after-helping-usa-to-u19-world-cup-title |access-date=June 13, 2023 |publisher=FIBA}}

{{NBA player statistics legend|leader=y}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2023}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City

| 82 ||bgcolor=cfecec| 82* || 29.4 || .530 || .370 || .793 || 7.9 || 2.4 || .6 || 2.3 || 16.5

|-

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

| style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City

| 32 || 32 || 27.4 || .490 || .375 || .754 || 8.0 || 2.0 || .7 || 2.2 || 15.0

|- class="sortbottom"

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

| 114 || 114 || 28.9 || .519 || .372 || .780 || 7.9 || 2.3 || .7 || 2.3 || 16.1

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2024

| style="text-align:left;"| Oklahoma City

| 10 || 10 || 34.5 || .496 || .260 || .758 || 7.2 || 2.1 || .7 || 2.5 || 15.6

|- class="sortbottom"

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

| 10 || 10 || 34.5 || .496 || .260 || .758 || 7.2 || 2.1 || .7 || 2.5 || 15.6

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22

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

| 32 || 31 || 26.9 || .607 || .390 || .717 || 9.9 || 1.9 || .8 || 3.7 || 14.1

{{S-end}}

Listed as a center, many observers note that the lanky Holmgren is a versatile player who moves, handles, shoots, and jumps fluidly and deftly, more like a guard than a big man.{{cite web |last=Jordan |first=Jason |date=March 25, 2020 |title=A Look at Elite Center Chet Holmgren |url=https://www.si.com/college/recruiting/basketball/chet-holmgren-minnehaha-academy-2021-cente |access-date=May 10, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated}} His vertical and running leaps are much stronger than average for a center or power forward, and his {{convert|7|ft|6|in|adj=on}} wingspan contributes to his standout blocking and rebounding abilities. Holmgren plays a strong inner and outer game, with superior three-point shooting compared to others of his size and position.{{cite news|url=https://fanbuzz.com/high-school/chet-holmgren-recruiting/|title=America's No. 2 Recruit Shoots Like Dirk and Defends Like Davis|publisher=FanBuzz|first=Joe|last=Grobeck|date=March 11, 2020|access-date=March 21, 2020}}

Holmgren's father, Dave, played 57 games of college basketball for Minnesota from 1984 to 1988. Holmgren has two sisters.{{Cite news |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Q&A: Chet Holmgren's parents, HS coach on Chet's journey to being top-3 NBA Draft pick |work=KSTP-TV |url=https://kstp.com/minnesota-sports/interview-chet-holmgren-parents-david-sarah-coach-lance-johnson/ |access-date=June 19, 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

{{basketballstats}}

• [https://gozags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/chet-holmgren/3945 Gonzaga Bulldogs bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20210430162954/https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/h/holmgren-chet.aspx USA Basketball bio]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Holmgren, Chet}}

Category:2002 births

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