Chet Holmgren
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
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Born | Minneapolis, Minnesota | May 1, 2002||||||||||||||
Nationality | American | ||||||||||||||
Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) | ||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
High school | Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minnesota) | ||||||||||||||
College | Gonzaga (2021–2022) | ||||||||||||||
Position | Center / Power forward | ||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball Reference | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Chet Thomas Holmgren (born May 1, 2002) is an American basketball player. He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. A consensus five-star recruit and the number-one player in the 2021 class, he stands 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) and plays the center and power forward positions.
Early life and career
Holmgren was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1] He grew up playing basketball under the tutelage of his father, a former college player. In sixth grade, he began attending Minnehaha Academy, a private school in Minneapolis. He stood 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) at the time and was teammates with Jalen Suggs, whom he would play alongside through high school. Holmgren improved his shooting range while recovering from a broken right wrist during his first season.[2] He grew about eight inches in the year before ninth grade.[3]
High school career
As a freshman at Minnehaha Academy, Holmgren averaged 6.2 points and three rebounds per game.[4] His team won its second straight Class 2A state championship.[5] In his sophomore season, Holmgren averaged 18.6 points and 11 rebounds per game and led his team to another Class 2A state title.[4] 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.[3] In August 2019, Holmgren attracted national attention for crossing over basketball player Stephen Curry at Curry's own SC30 Select Camp.[6]
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.[7] In his junior season, he averaged 14.3 points per game, leading Minnehaha to a 25–3 record.[8]
As a senior, averaging 21 points and 12.3 rebounds, Holmgren won the Class 3A state title, his fourth state championship at Minnehaha.[1][9] He was named 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.[10][11]
Recruiting
Entering his junior season, Holmgren had about 30 scholarship offers from college basketball programs.[12] In June 2020, after the reclassification of Jonathan Kuminga, he became the number one player in the 2021 class, according to ESPN.[8] 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.[13][14]
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
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Chet Holmgren C |
Minneapolis, MN | Minnehaha Academy (MN) | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Apr 19, 2021 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 97 | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 1 247Sports: 1 ESPN: 1 | ||||||
Sources:
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College career
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.[15] On November 22, the 7-foot freshman finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 3 of 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.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]
National team career
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.[19]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
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2021–22 | Gonzaga | 32 | 31 | 26.9 | .607 | .390 | .717 | 9.9 | 1.9 | .8 | 3.7 | 14.1 |
Player profile
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.[20] His vertical and running leaps are much stronger than average for a center (or power forward), and his 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) 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.[21]
Gonzaga Bulldogs freshman 7-footer Chet Holmgren -- the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN Top 100 -- will enter the 2022 NBA draft. Holmgren, considered one of the front-runners to go first overall in the June 23 draft, brings to the NBA a unique skill set of 3-point shooting, lob catching and shot-blocking that has long inspired imaginations of league executives. "After a season where we accomplished a lot of great things as both a team and an individual, I feel like I'm in a position to be able to chase my lifelong dream to play in the NBA," Holmgren told ESPN. [22]
Personal life
Holmgren's father, Dave, who also stands 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), played 57 games of college basketball for Minnesota from 1984–1988.[4]
References
- ^ Bennett, Brian (April 19, 2021). "Coveted recruit Chet Holmgren is headed to Gonzaga, but should we really be surprised?". The Athletic. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (April 19, 2021). "Chet Holmgren, No. 1 HS recruit in Class of 2021, commits to Gonzaga". ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Jones, Ryan (November 28, 2019). "Big Stepper: Chet Holmgren's Game Keeps Growing". Slam. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c Gardner, David (December 4, 2019). "Once 'A Pile of Bricks,' Chet Holmgren Is Now Basketball's Dream House". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ Paulsen, Jim (March 24, 2018). "Minnehaha Academy, driven by larger purpose, defends 2A title with victory over Caledonia". MN Basketball Hub. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Dalton (August 7, 2019). "Watch Steph Curry get crossed by 7-foot high school star Chet Holmgren". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ Frederick, Jace (January 4, 2020). "Minnehaha Academy wins high-profile basketball showdown with nationally ranked Sierra Canyon". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Polacheck, Jacob. "Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren is No. 1 in Class of 2021 rankings". Zagsblog. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ Frederick, Jace (April 10, 2021). "State boys basketball: Chet Holmgren goes out in style as Minnehaha Academy cruises to Class 3A crown". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Chet Holmgren and Raven Johnson Win 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Trophy for Player of the Year". Naismith Awards. March 11, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Azzi Fudd, Chet Holmgren named 2021 Morgan Wootten Players of the Year". The Athletic. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Bates, Greg (January 23, 2020). "Minnehaha Academy 7-footer Chet Holmgren might be the most unique prospect in high school basketball". MaxPreps. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (April 19, 2021). "Chet Holmgren, No. 1 HS recruit in Class of 2021, commits to Gonzaga". ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Nation's No. 1 Recruit Signs with Gonzaga" (Press release). Gonzaga Bulldogs. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ Meehan, Jim (November 9, 2021). "Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren impressive in debut, leads Gonzaga past Dixie State 97-63". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ "Timme Tabbed WCC Player Of The Year" (Press release). West Coast Conference. March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ Kasabian, Paul (March 17, 2022). "Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga Fend off Georgia State's Upset Bid in March Madness Round 1". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "Gonzaga center Holmgren entering NBA draft". ESPN.com. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Chet Holmgren takes home TISSOT MVP award after helping USA to U19 World Cup title". FIBA. July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ Jordan, Jason (March 25, 2020). "A Look at Elite Center Chet Holmgren". SI All American. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- ^ Grobeck, Joe (March 11, 2020). "America's No. 2 Recruit Shoots Like Dirk and Defends Like Davis". FanBuzz. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ "Zags' Holmgren, top NBA prospect, enters draft". ESPN.com. April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.