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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Chet Holmgren

Chet Holmgren is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Chet Holmgren is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 7-foot-1 center/power forward from Minneapolis, he played college basketball for Gonzaga before being selected second overall in the 2022 NBA draft.

Early life and high school career

Holmgren grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and attended Minnehaha Academy. He became one of the top high school basketball prospects in the United States and won multiple national player-of-the-year honours.

College career at Gonzaga

Holmgren played one season for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in 2021–22. He was named West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was a consensus second-team All-American.

Professional career

The Thunder drafted Holmgren second overall in 2022. After missing his rookie season with injury, he joined Oklahoma City in 2023–24 and quickly became an important two-way player.

Playing style

Holmgren is known for combining elite height and reach with guard-like skill, including shot blocking, floor spacing, and ball handling. He plays both center and power forward.

Key facts

  • Holmgren played high school basketball at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis.
  • He was a highly rated recruit and played one season at Gonzaga.
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder selected him second overall in the 2022 NBA draft.
  • He missed the 2022–23 NBA season because of an offseason injury.
  • He made his NBA debut in the 2023–24 season and earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2024.
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Canadian context

Holmgren’s only direct Canada connection in the provided sources is through basketball coverage and statistical context; no major Canadian affiliation is indicated in the source material.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Chet Holmgren?
Chet Holmgren is an American NBA player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, known for his size, shot blocking, and perimeter skills.
What position does he play?
He primarily plays center and power forward.
Where did he play college basketball?
He played one season at Gonzaga University.
When was he drafted?
He was selected second overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 NBA draft.
Did he miss his first NBA season?
Yes. He missed the 2022–23 season because of an offseason injury.
Has he won an NBA championship?
Yes. He was on Oklahoma City’s 2025 NBA championship team.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Holmgren
    Supports: Basic biographical details, height, positions, draft status, rookie honors, championship and All-Star mentions.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4433255/chet-holmgren
    Supports: Birthdate, team, height/weight, college, draft position, and active player status.
  3. NBA.com — https://www.nba.com/player/1631096/chet-holmgren/bio
    Supports: NBA bio and debut information.
  4. RealGM — https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Chet-Holmgren/Summary/134799
    Supports: High school, draft, and contract/profile details.
  5. Gonzaga University Athletics — https://gozags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/chet-holmgren/3945
    Supports: College career, high school background, awards, and recruiting profile.
  6. USA Basketball — https://www.usab.com/players/chet-holmgren
    Supports: Position, height, hometown, high school, and college.