The fourth-coldest state in America (after Maine, North Dakota and Alaska) is stocked with young basketball standouts worth your attention. Those guard skills he developed as a young player also fit the philosophy of Thunder coach Mark Daignault. Even on the morning of his first surgery, in late August, he was talking on the phone and doing doughnuts on his knee scooter as he waited to head to the hospital. A versatile 7-footer who was a second-team Associated Press All-American in his only college season, Holmgren averaged 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game and ranked fourth nationally with 3.7 blocks per game for the Zags. Oklahoma City Thunder star rookie Chet Holmgren will be out for the 2022-23 season after the team announced he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot. In addition, both Chet Holmgren's second Summer League did not go as well as his first.Tuesday night, Holmgren's debut in Salt Lake City was so sensational, he was not just the talk of Oklahoma, but of ESPN's many roundtables. A consensus five-star recruit and the number-one player in the 2021 class, he stands 7ft 1in (2.16m) and plays the center and power forward positions. The Thunder were hoping Holmgren could help them eventually can help them regain some of the glory from the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook era. Hes making his own interpretations within the offense and defense, which is stuff that you cant coach. How many guys have a longer wingspan than Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant? Why Chet Holmgren's dad brings an old camcorder to Gonzaga games In what was a Second Team All-American campaign as a freshman, he produced 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 61% from floor and 39% from deep. Weve had great players, but nothing to the level of recruitment-wise and the uniqueness that Chet has, Morrison, now Gonzaga mens basketballs radio color analyst, told Andscape. At a towering 7-foot-1 . "Minnesota has always had very talented players," said Royce White, the former Minnesota Mr. Basketball who was the 16th pick in the 2012 NBA draft after leading Iowa State to the NCAA tournament. [26], 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. The 7-foot-1 freshman center went coast-to-coast on an explosive drive in the. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault confirmed this at Media Day before the start of the recent season, talking about how much Holmgren could learn while being sidelined. 1 Zags team in 2013 to current All-American Drew Timme. Its his elite competitiveness and desire to be the best player on the court every time he touches it. But its also rooted in his personal upbringing, growing up in South Minneapolis in a diverse neighborhood. So I got to figure out how to turn it into a blessing, how to make the most out of it., Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren has second-guessed the decisions that led to his season-ending foot injury. Holmgren also loves hip-hop, Midwestern rappers in particular, and its culture and fashion as well. Back in the postseason after a 16-year drought, the Kings fell in Game 7 of their first-round series Sunday to end a special season. Chet Holmgren didn't feel like he'd arrived in the N.B.A. Thunder's Chet Holmgren: Oklahoma City is 'where I want to be' Then Wednesday night, Holmgren showed the concerns over his potential NBA stardom. "At the same time, it's not just a wake-up call for us. And he didn't feel like he'd arrived after. The emergence of the state's talent pool has changed the paradigm. There [are] no real holes to his game. But one of the beautiful things about March Madness is the way it draws in people who potentially would not otherwise watch college basketball. Gonzaga has a star in Chet Holmgren. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, UConn embodies Danny Hurleys relentlessness, UConn demolishes Gonzaga to roll into Final Four, Our pick for UConn vs. Gonzaga in the Elite Eight. 11 in 2005, but the Spanish big man never appeared in an NBA game. 6 selection in 2013 and missed what would have been his first season with a knee problem, and Michael Porter Jr. was the 14th pick in the 2018 draft and missed the ensuing season with a back injury. Holmgren scored 50 points and led Gonzaga with 16.7 points per game against Central . I just want to be a great example for the other guys around me, all the staff in the building every day right alongside me, as well as everybody in the community, Holmgren said. A high draft pick having to sit out his first NBA season isnt unprecedented, and in some cases it hasnt stopped players from reaching All-Star or even MVP-caliber levels. The . That fire in him is impressive. Were winning games at the buzzer, were losing games at the buzzer, he said. 2 overall pick", "Chet Holmgren, taken second overall, is highest drafted Minnesotan in NBA history", "Oklahoma City Thunder 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster | NBA.com", "Chet Holmgren fires warning shot after breaking NBA Summer League record", "Thunder Signs First-Round Draft Picks, Chet Holmgren Ousmane Dieng and Jalen Williams", "Holmgren to miss '22-23 season with foot injury", "Chet Holmgren takes home TISSOT MVP award after helping USA to U19 World Cup title", "America's No. All College Basketball news fromFanSided Daily, Raiders trade for Davante Adams, send Packers massive package in return, Updated NFL Draft order after Packers trade Davante Adams to Raiders, March Madness 2022: 10 best potential games were looking forward to watching, Everything you need to know about the NCAA Womens Tournament, College basketball media loving Illinois surviving Chattanooga in March Madness, Lions Fans Not Mad, Laughing Actually at Matthew Stafford's New AT&T Commercial, Look: Terrell Owens is living it up at alma mater Chattanoogas upset bid vs. Illinois, Watch Chris Beard, Texas basketball get crazy after March Madness win, Listen: Alabama radio call went ballistic over bad call in loss to Notre Dame. When he does, Chet can provide floor spacing as a sniper from three, a la Mike Muscala. Few said members of the Gonzaga staff are helping him with taking deeper, analytical looks at how the Zags perform when Holmgren is on the court, and the team is off the charts better when hes on the court. People were like, This little white boy is trash. At the end of the day, Im not going to worry about it. Holmgren already looks NBA-ready ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft in June and is expected to be among the top picks, if not going No. It's hard to tell how he got hurt. And once you mix that with his skill set stuff, hes an attraction. Holmgren is a tall dude. Dario Saric and Ricky Rubio were lottery picks who played with their overseas clubs for two more years before coming to the NBA. But at the same time, he still gives you the ability to stretch the floor. This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 18:18. Hes a character for sure. Basketball. Hes been compared by some to Durant because of that length and the ability to make outside shots, but Durant plays with elite guard skills in the body of a 7-footer. I view myself as a leader and a follower, Holmgren said. Although the issue is not a new phenomenon, the city's critical place on the basketball map is. . Holmgren is averaging 14.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in 27 minutes per game. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft. I watch every game and look for something I can add to my game, said Holmgren in July. Im a basketball junkie. "There are so many high-level players from the state of Minnesota," said one Power 5 coach who has signed multiple Minnesota-based players in recent years. [5] Holmgren has two sisters. Ive tried out Kevin Garnett as a frame of reference because of a similar degree of dynamism around the baseline, but Garnetts energy was so overpowering his lean frame never became an issue, and he had to develop the ball skills over time that Holmgren has mastered now. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. Mike Holmgren - Wikipedia From wiped-out rookie seasons to all-NBA. Holmgren attacks rehab, mentally and physically, SGA feels better but timetable on knee still TBD, Chet Holmgren's injury, OKC's outlook and the future of summer pro-ams, Holmgren to miss '22-23 season with foot injury, Holmgren gets foot tested after injury at pro-am, LeBron, Tatum dazzle in abridged Seattle pro-am, Chet Holmgren impresses with pair of thunderous dunks, Chet throws down vicious dunk after intercepting pass, Chet shows off his playmaking skills with sweet wraparound dime, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Holmgren set an N.B.A. The neighborhood Chet Holmgren grew up in included families that were African American, Hispanic and Somalian. Hes a jokester, messing around having fun. It may be a season-ending injury. While hes tall, Holmgren is also pretty thin. 1 selection Greg Oden in 2007. Just the day-to-day approach, Thunder GM Sam Presti recently said of Holmgren. Holmgren spent one season at Gonzaga, averaging 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. I was going to do what I could to help make sure that it didnt happen. When looking at some of OKCs major deficiencies last season, most notably perimeter shooting, rebounding and paint protection, the 7-footer helps with all of the above. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Buzz about Ibrahim El-Amin, son of former UConn star Khalid El-Amin and a 2023 prospect, has grown over the past year too. Its possible, said Presti. [9] 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. Even if the regimen is different than that of his teammates, Holmgren will enter each day with a focused mindset and clear objectives. "Your son's . All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Although hes not playing with the Thunder, he spends just about every day at the facility, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., rehabbing, lifting weights and tweaking his jumper. Chet Thomas Holmgren (born May 1, 2002; pronounced /tt homrn/ CHET HOHM-grn[1]) is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nerlens Noel was the No. Everyone knows the rim protection stuff, but he is better than you think on [defensive] switches because we switch a lot, a lot of actions. But hes a massive human. Chet Holmgren's Height, Weight Not Cause for Concern, Says P3 - Insider ", Top prospect Chet Holmgren's rise spotlights Twin Cities recruiting prowess, Zags, Vols have gained spots in men's WTE Top 25, Calipari thanks Bryants for package honoring Gigi, 2023 No. The neighborhood Chet Holmgren grew up in included families that were African American, Hispanic and Somalian. Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga's 7-foot freshman center and the No. In the meantime, Holmgren will be making the most of this year learning his teammates, studying film, lifting weights and refining everything that he can. "We're getting repeated players at that top level. Is Holmgren unique? That's what I plan to do. But at the end of the day, I could let this be a blessing or a curse, you know? Although a trickle of local products turned pro in the years that followed -- Cole Aldrich, Alan Anderson, Jon Leuer, Royce White -- it was the group of Minnesota players who blossomed a decade later that altered the reputation of talent in the state. Really different, Strawther told Andscape. ", "Chet Holmgren, No. Its definitely hard to see. Travis was a three-time all-Pac-12 selection at Stanford before he averaged 11.2 PPG as a grad transfer at Kentucky during the 2018-19 season. Hes an elite shot-blocker, rim protector and paint presence. Holmgren (foot) underwent a successful secondary procedure Tuesday to remove hardware from his initial Lisfranc surgery in August, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports. | https://t.co/Jiq9l6EY3W pic.twitter.com/SsGCFueT2q, OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) August 25, 2022, Holmgren joins a list of high draft picks who lost their rookie years to injuries, including Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Blake Griffin. Having the right approach and mindset is everything in the NBA. [18] As a freshman, he averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. He had never been forced to slow down before. On the court, hes a competitor, kid wants to be good, said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the close of the season. 12 pick in the 2003 draft by Seattle, unable to play that following season with shoulder issues. Holmgren is agile and can handle the ball. I learned about different types of foods to different types of music and clothes, Holmgren said. 2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in June, the biggest concern NBA teams had during the pre-draft process was his slight frame and size. Thats something Im really looking forward to, said Lu Dort recently. 1 ranking in the 2021 class. During training camp, he's at the Thunder ION from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., then comes back in the evening to support his teammates through practices and "soak up the knowledge". SAN FRANCISCO For someone involved in describing the basketball player that is Chet Holmgren, the first conundrum involves whether to call him unique. Thats a word that is properly misunderstood and misapplied, to the point its common to hear someone or something described with a misplaced modifier: so unique, very unique, kind of unique. His brother Tre, Gary Trent Jr. and Matthew Hurt were all decorated Minnesota prospects who chose to play for Krzyzewski after him. Thats the mindset I have. Five days after Floyds murder, Holmgren posted a picture of a Floyd memorial near the site of his death with the words: Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Terence Crutcher, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd. Hes done a fantastic job of handling that stuff. But I love being around him. He's gonna be top-three no matter what. A YouTube video that shows Chet Holmgren, a 7-footer at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, dribbling past and dunking over Stephen Curry at the NBA All-Star's camp last year has nearly 600,000 views. Chet Holmgren is a top NBA prospect and the 'complete - Andscape The Thunders core includes Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, Lu Dort, Darius Bazley and Tre Mann. . after the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the No. March Madness 2022: Ranking the 16 best . There have been many high-profile top-3 draft picks who have missed their first season in the NBA only to go on to have prolific careers, players like Joel Embiid, whom Holmgren has talked to, as well as Blake Griffin and Ben Simmons. 5 selection in 2011 not being able to join the Toronto Raptors until a year later because of his contract status with his European team at the time. Now is the time for change. Holmgren posted an all-black photo in solidarity with people of color on June 2, 2020. It was hard to watch and hard to see things like that happen to your city, Holmgren told Andscape. Holmgrens dad Dave is also 7-feet tall and he played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers from 1984 to 1988. Especially the way these games have been officiated or called, college basketball has sort of morphed into this, its pretty rugby-like in a lot of instances off the ball, or on the ball, what youre allowed to do. And so thats been hard.. Pitino always figured he could build a team in Minneapolis -- but not with talent from the area. Statement from GM Sam Presti. Chet Holmgren has faced eager challengers from the moment he was identified as one of the top players in his high school class way back during his sophomore year at Minneapolis' Minnehaha. I see that as butchering the game of basketball.. Summer League record with six blocks in July. 1 pick, Holmgren smiled and said, I havent made a decision yet.. Few explained that Gonzaga never before had used drop coverage when defending pick-and-roll plays, but Holmgren is such a weapon in that scheme that its become a common tactic for the Zags this season. Everybodys going to have an opinion, everybodys going to judge you. They went 24-58 last season. Thats my type of music that I listen to. It shouldnt come as a surprise that Holmgrens dad would also be pretty tall and pretty good at basketball himself. Holmgren was a junior in high school when George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020, which sparked days of unrest in Minneapolis and neighboring St. Paul and mass protests around the world over the treatment of Black people by police. 2 Related. 12 and Arkansas Jaylin Williams with the 34th overall pick in the Draft. How many are there who are threats to pull down a rebound, dribble the length of the court and reach above the defense to throw down a slam dunk? Hopefully that continues, we can get to know each other better and keep building chemistry.. We have a very rare locker room full of guys that all mesh, Holmgren said. Grassroots Sizzle head coach Brian Sandifer, Holmgren's coach on the AAU circuit, said the No. As such, all eyes will be on him in his first NBA season as the team pivots from an underdog to a squads with expectations. I was a white kid with a bowl cut, the 7-foot-1 power forward told Andscape last month. For starters, he worked out and rehabbed in an NBA system and traveled with the team for most of the season. 1 prospect in the ESPN Top 100, will enter the 2022 NBA draft, he told ESPN. 1 prospect or 2 or 3 or 4 or whatever and the expectations are just hes going to come in from the jump and dominate, Gonzaga coach Mark Few told The Sporting News.