Rookie Chet Holmgren has made an immediate impact on the Thunder this season.
Just being tall would not be enough to make Chet Holmgren great.
“I was never the strongest person in the room and for a long time wasn’t the most coordinated either. I definitely had to learn to work with my disadvantages and play with my advantages,” Holmgren said.
The Thunder star opens up about his basketball journey in the seventh episode of Pass The Rock: Season 2. The newest episode of the NBA Entertainment Original streams on the NBA App on Tuesday.
A four-time state champion at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minn., Holmgren had lofty expectations put on him.
No matter how high those were, he remains unphased.
“He’s had this fight that he would not back down to anybody,” said Lance Johnson, coach of Minnehaha Academy. “I think that’s where I started to see that this kid has talents and abilities that nobody else in the state of Minnesota has.”
Minnehaha Academy retired Chet Holmgren’s No. 34 jersey in January.
As the second pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Holmgren’s parents helped him avoid complacency — even in that landmark moment.
“Most people think of the Draft as the culmination and David (Chet’s father) was really clear that it was the beginning,” said Sarah Harris, Holmgren’s mother.
David Holmgren’s words rang true as his son suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury before the 2022-23 season began, giving him a new perspective on basketball.
This season, he has come back stronger than ever. The rookie leads OKC in rebounds (7.9) and blocks (2.4) per game and has the Thunder in the mix for No. 1 in the Western Conference in the season’s final week.
Holmgren has also remained in the upper crust on Steve Aschburner’s Kia Rookie Ladder since Week 3 of the season.
Just like in every step so far, the goal remains unchanged.
“I want to be looked at and remembered as someone who came in and did it the right way, put the work in and someone who is a winner,” Holmgren said.
The first six episodes of the second season of Pass The Rock focused on Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton , New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.
The final episode of Pass The Rock will feature San Antonio Spurs Center Victor Wembanyama.
