Chet Holmgren's NBA Draft 2022 player profile
From: Gonzaga
Age: 20
Measurables: 7-0, 195 pounds
Key 2021-22 stats: 14.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 bpg, 60.7 FG percentage, 39.0 three-point percentage
NBA.com consensus mock draft position: 1
OVERVIEW
Holmgren was excellent during his freshman season at Gonzaga, but his status as a top-three lock in the draft is based partly on what analysts often describe as limitless potential. As SI.com’s Brett Siegel put it, “Standing 7-0 tall with a 7-6 unofficial wingspan, Holmgren is being classified as a high-level rim-protector that is more than capable of stretching the floor. Not many 7-footers can move well outside of the paint, but he’s the full package. His footwork and quickness is exceptional for his size and stature, making him very worthy of being the top pick in this year’s draft. Holmgren is an elite-level prospect that really does not have any long-term concerns.”
DRAFT RANGE
Holmgren is projected by virtually everyone to be selected either first (by Orlando) or second (Oklahoma City). Interestingly, in NBA.com’s initial consensus mock draft, Jabari Smith placed behind Holmgren, despite slightly more mock drafts projecting Smith to actually be the No. 1 pick (based on the site’s point system). That’s partly because Smith was given a much greater chance to drop to third (Houston) than Holmgren by various draft prognosticators.
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON
Pau Gasol, Evan Mobley, Dirk Nowitzki or Kristaps Porzingis?
In a late-May Twitter poll, fans voted for Porzingis as the most accurate comp among those four options, by a significant margin. Porzingis garnered 58 percent of ballots (Mobley was a distant runner-up at 23 percent). An anonymous draft scout from another NBA team agreed with that assessment.
Scout’s take: “Chet reminds me of Kristaps Porzingis with passing ability. Similar body types but the biggest difference is that Chet has a good passing sense – he has the ability to make teammates better. Like Porzingis, Chet projects as an excellent rim protector due to size. It will be interesting to see how he handles the physicality of the NBA – it has bothered KP at times.”