The Rise of a Modern Big Man: Chet Holmgren
Chet Holmgren is one of the most unique and important players in the NBA right now. He has changed the forward-center position with his rare combination of size, skill, and fluidity. He is 7 feet 1 inch tall and has a wingspan of 7 feet 6 inches, and his thin body hides a versatile and dominant game on both ends of the court. His rise from a highly regarded prospect to an NBA champion has made him a key part of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s young and successful core.
Early Life and Being the Best in High School
Holmgren was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 1, 2002. He comes from a long line of basketball players. Dave Holmgren, his father, was a 7-foot center who played college basketball for the University of Minnesota. Chet’s father had a big impact on his early basketball development because he saw how good his son could be from a young age.
Holmgren went to Minnehaha Academy, a private school in Minneapolis, where he quickly became famous all over the country. He played with Jalen Suggs, who is now in the NBA, and his team won four straight state championships. He won a lot of awards in high school, such as Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American. He was the best recruit in the class of 2021.
Fame in College at Gonzaga
Holmgren didn’t follow the usual path of going to college for several years. Instead, he played one season for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He showed off his amazing skills in just one season, averaging 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and an impressive 3.7 blocks per game. He won the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards because he was so good at defense. He was also on the All-American Second Team, which made him a top NBA draft pick.
Playing in the NBA for the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder picked Holmgren with the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. But he had to miss the entire 2022–2023 season because he hurt his foot in a Lisfranc injury during a pro-am game in the summer of 2022. This ruined his highly anticipated rookie season before it even started.
Even though he had a setback, he came back strong in the 2023–2024 season. He played in all 82 regular-season games, which put to rest any worries about how long he could last. His second year was even better, as he became a key part of the Thunder’s championship-winning team.
Holmgren’s stats from his first two seasons with the Thunder show how much he can do on both ends of the court. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game in his first full season (2023–24). He kept getting better in the 2024–25 season, scoring 15.0 points, grabbing 8.0 rebounds, and blocking 2.2 shots per game for a team that would go on to win the NBA title.
People often say that he has the skills of a “guard in a big man’s body.” He can handle the ball, shoot from a distance, and make plays for himself and his teammates. His height and ability to move make him a tough rim protector and a versatile defender who can guard more than one position.
The Past and the Future
Holmgren is still in the early stages of his career, but he is already making a big difference in the league. He is a modern example of a big man who can shoot from long range, handle the ball with confidence, and anchor a defense with great shot-blocking. His recent contract extension with the Thunder, which was a fully guaranteed five-year rookie max deal, shows that the team sees him as a key player for the future. Holmgren’s career path looks like it will lead to a lot of awards and success, especially since he has already won an NBA championship.