Chet Holmgren Bio
Chet Thomas Holmgren is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 7 feet 1 inch tall, Holmgren plays the center and power forward positions. He was selected second overall by the Thunder in the 2022 NBA draft, making him the highest-selected draft pick ever taken out of Gonzaga and the highest-drafted player from the state of Minnesota. After missing his rookie season due to injury, Holmgren returned to earn NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2024. In his second season, he helped lead the Thunder to the 2025 NBA Finals championship.
Early Life and Background
Chet Thomas Holmgren was born on May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up playing basketball under the tutelage of his father, Dave Holmgren, who stands 7 feet tall and played college basketball for the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1988. Holmgren has two sisters and is Jewish on his mother’s side. In sixth grade, he began attending Minnehaha Academy, a Christian private school in Minneapolis. At that time, he stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and was teammates with future Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, whom he played alongside through high school.
Holmgren improved his shooting range while recovering from a broken right wrist during his first season. By ninth grade, he had grown to 6 feet 9 inches, demonstrating the exceptional growth trajectory that would define his development as a player.
Path to Basketball
As a freshman at Minnehaha Academy, Holmgren averaged 6.2 points and three rebounds per game while his team won its second straight Class 2A state championship. In his sophomore season, he 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.
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 team featuring Bronny James, Brandon Boston Jr., and Ziaire Williams. 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 Mr. Basketball USA, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and Minnesota Mr. Basketball. On April 19, 2021, Holmgren committed to play college basketball for Gonzaga University, following his former high school teammate Jalen Suggs.
Chet Holmgren Career
Gonzaga Bulldogs (2021–2022)
Holmgren made his college debut for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, recording 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 seven-foot freshman finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 3 for 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. He was also named First-team All-WCC and to the WCC All-Freshman Team. In the NCAA tournament, he recorded 19 points, 17 rebounds, seven blocks, and five assists in their 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.
Oklahoma City Thunder Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Holmgren was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. In his Summer League debut, Holmgren scored 23 points with seven rebounds, four assists, and six blocks in a win against the Utah Jazz, breaking the record for the most blocks in a single Summer League game. On July 5, 2022, Holmgren signed a rookie-scale contract with the Thunder. However, on August 25, it was announced that he would miss the entire 2022–23 NBA season due to a Lisfranc injury in his foot that occurred during a Pro-am game.
On October 25, 2023, Holmgren made his NBA regular-season debut, putting up 11 points and four rebounds in a win over the Chicago Bulls. On October 27, he recorded 16 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, breaking the franchise record for most blocks in a single game by a rookie. On November 18, Holmgren put up a career-high 36 points along with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers in an overtime win over the Golden State Warriors. He joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies in NBA history to record at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and two three-pointers in a game.
On April 25, Holmgren led the Thunder to a Game 2 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs, recording 26 points and seven rebounds. He became the first rookie in NBA playoff history to score 25 or more points and post a plus-25 plus/minus ratio in a game. Oklahoma City lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the Western Conference Semifinals, despite Holmgren scoring 21 points in the closeout loss in Game 6. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors at the end of the season.
Oklahoma City Thunder Era (2025–Present)
On November 10, 2024, Holmgren took a hard fall on his right side after challenging an Andrew Wiggins drive. He was diagnosed with a right iliac wing fracture in his pelvis and returned to play on February 7, 2025. Holmgren made 32 starts for Oklahoma City during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
Holmgren and the Thunder reached the 2025 NBA Finals, where they won in seven games over the Indiana Pacers, with Holmgren recording 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in the decisive seventh game. His fifth blocked shot of the night set a new record for the most blocks in an NBA Finals Game 7, solidifying his championship legacy. On July 9, 2025, Holmgren and the Thunder agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension worth up to $250 million.
Playing Style and Strengths
Listed as a center, 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. His 7-foot-6-inch 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.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holmgren represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Riga, 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 earning tournament MVP honors. On October 26, 2025, he put up 31 points on a career-high six three-pointers made, along with 12 rebounds, three steals, one assist, and one block in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Chet Holmgren Career Wins
Holmgren has accumulated significant accomplishments across high school, college, and professional basketball. He won four state championships at Minnehaha Academy and earned national high school player of the year honors in 2021. At the collegiate level, he was named WCC Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in 2022. In the NBA, he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2024 and won an NBA championship with the Thunder in 2025.
Championship Highlights
Holmgren’s championship victory in 2025 marked the pinnacle of his career thus far. In Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, he recorded 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. His defensive presence throughout the series, including setting the NBA Finals Game 7 blocked shots record, proved instrumental in the Thunder’s championship run. The victory completed a remarkable comeback season following his injury setback earlier in the year.
Individual Awards
Holmgren has earned numerous individual accolades throughout his basketball career. At the high school level, he was named Mr. Basketball USA, Gatorade National Player of the Year, and Naismith Prep Player of the Year. In college, he earned consensus second-team All-American honors, WCC Defensive Player of the Year, and WCC Newcomer of the Year. In the NBA, he has been selected to the All-Star Game and All-NBA Third Team.
| Award Type | Count |
|---|---|
| NBA Championships | 1 |
| NBA All-Star Selections | 1 |
| NBA All-Rookie First Team | 1 |
Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Holmgren comes from a basketball family. His father, Dave Holmgren, played 57 games of college basketball for the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1988. Dave stands 7 feet tall, providing his son with both genetic advantages and early basketball instruction. This family legacy in basketball helped shape Holmgren’s development from a young age.
Personal Life
Holmgren has two sisters. He is Jewish on his mother’s side, adding to his diverse background. Despite his towering height of 7 feet 1 inch, Holmgren moves with exceptional fluidity and coordination, qualities that have drawn comparisons to guard-style players rather than traditional centers. He continues to maintain connections to his Minnesota roots while building his professional career in Oklahoma City.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season represented a breakthrough year for Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite suffering a right iliac wing fracture in November 2024, Holmgren demonstrated resilience by returning to action in February 2025. He made 32 starts during the regular season, contributing 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while helping the Thunder secure a playoff berth.
Holmgren’s championship performance in the 2025 NBA Finals validated the Thunder’s investment in selecting him second overall in the 2022 draft. His defensive dominance in Game 7, including his record-setting blocked shots, demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage. The championship victory marked the culmination of his journey from high school star to NBA champion.
Following the championship, Holmgren secured a five-year contract extension worth up to $250 million, making him a cornerstone of the Thunder’s future. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ positions him as one of the NBA’s emerging stars. The Thunder’s core group, built around Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Williams, established itself as a legitimate championship contender for years to come.