Chet Holmgren

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Chet Holmgren
Chet Holmgren.jpg
Holmgren with Gonzaga in 2021
No. 34 – Gonzaga Bulldogs
PositionCenter
LeagueWest Coast Conference
Personal information
Born (2002-05-01) May 1, 2002 (age 19)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2021 Latvia Team

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.

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 3.0 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 11.0 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, BJ Boston, 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 collegiate basketball at Gonzaga University, following his former high school teammate Jalen Suggs.[13][14]

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: ScoutN/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars   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.

College career[]

In his collegiate 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 22nd, The 7-foot freshman finished with 19 points, his highest total in GU’s five games, on 7-of-9 shooting and 3 of 3 at the free-throw line.

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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[18]

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[]

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

External links[]

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