Chet Holmgren
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 and plays the center and power forward positions. Early life and career. Holmgren was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 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. He grew about eight inches in the year before ninth grade. High school career. As a freshman at Minnehaha Academy, Holmgren averaged 6.2 points and three rebounds per game. His team won its second straight Class 2A state championship. 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 basketball player Stephen Curry at Curry's own SC30 Select Camp. 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. In his junior season, he averaged 14.3 points per game, leading  Minnehaha to a 25–3 record. As a senior, averaging 21 points and 12.3 rebounds, Holmgren won the Class 3A state title, his fourth state championship at Minnehaha. 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. Recruiting. Entering his junior season, Holmgren had about 30 scholarship offers from college basketball programs. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. His vertical and running leaps are much stronger than average for a center (or power forward), and his 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. 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. Personal life. Holmgren's father, Dave, who also stands , played 57 games of college basketball for Minnesota from 1984–1988.