Chet Holmgren

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Chet Thomas Holmgren (born May 1, 2002) is an American college basketball player for the Gonzaga Bulldogs of the West Coast Conference (WCC). 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 position.

Chet Holmgren
No. 34 – Gonzaga Bulldogs
PositionCenter
LeagueWest Coast Conference
Personal information
Born (2002-05-01) May 1, 2002 (age 22)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolMinnehaha Academy
(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
CollegeGonzaga (2021–present)
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2021 Latvia Team

Early life and career

Holmgren 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 became 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.[1] He grew about eight inches in the year before ninth grade.[2]

High school career

As a freshman at Minnehaha Academy, Holmgren averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.[3] His team won its second straight Class 2A state championship.[4] In his sophomore season, Holmgren averaged 18.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game and led his team to another Class 2A state title.[3] 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.[2] In August 2019, Holmgren attracted national attention for crossing over basketball player Stephen Curry at Curry's own SC30 Select Camp.[5]

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, BJ Boston, and Ziaire Williams.[6] In his junior season, he averaged 14.3 points per game, leading Minnehaha to a 25–3 record.[7] As a senior, Holmgren won the Class 3A state title, his fourth state championship at Minnehaha.[8] He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American, as well as Minnesota Mr. Basketball.[9][10]

Recruiting

Entering his junior season, Holmgren had about 30 scholarship offers from college basketball programs.[11] In June 2020, after the reclassification of Jonathan Kuminga, he became the number one player in the 2021 class, according to ESPN.[7] On April 19, 2021, Holmgren announced his commitment and signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate basketball at Gonzaga University, following his former high school teammate Jalen Suggs.[12][13]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
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
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Gonzaga 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  • "2021 Gonzaga Bulldogs Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 22, 2021.

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.[14]

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.[15] 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 3 point shooting compared to others of his size and position.[16]

Personal life

Holmgren's father, Dave, who also stands 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), played college basketball for Minnesota from 1984–1988.[3]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Jones, Ryan (November 28, 2019). "Big Stepper: Chet Holmgren's Game Keeps Growing". Slam. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Johnson, Dalton (August 7, 2019). "Watch Steph Curry get crossed by 7-foot high school star Chet Holmgren". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b Polacheck, Jacob. "Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren is No. 1 in Class of 2021 rankings". Zagsblog. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Azzi Fudd, Chet Holmgren named 2021 Morgan Wootten Players of the Year". The Athletic. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Nation's No. 1 Recruit Signs with Gonzaga" (Press release). Gonzaga Bulldogs. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Chet Holmgren takes home TISSOT MVP award after helping USA to U19 World Cup title". FIBA. July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  15. ^ Jordan, Jason (March 25, 2020). "A Look at Elite Center Chet Holmgren". SI All American. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  16. ^ Grobeck, Joe (March 11, 2020). "America's No. 2 Recruit Shoots Like Dirk and Defends Like Davis". FanBuzz. Retrieved March 21, 2020.