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.
No. 34 – Gonzaga Bulldogs | |||||||||||||||
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Position | Center | ||||||||||||||
League | West Coast Conference | ||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
Born | 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–present) | ||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball Reference | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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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]
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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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
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.