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Chet Holmgren: The Worst Kept Secret in Basketball
Why Chet Holmgren may have the highest potential in the entire NBA
The NBA Summer League has started and we are already seeing many big names showcasing their immense talents. One such player, Chet Holmgren, has somehow slipped under many’s radars due to his previous injuries. In a short 29 minute span, he was able to put up 15 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
Here, I will be explaining why Holmgren may have the highest potential out of any player in the NBA.
Chet Holmgren’s Ridiculous Frame
What maybe the main reason that the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to draft Holmgren with the №2 pick in last year’s draft is his ridiculous size and frame. He is a 7-foot-1, 21-year-old, with a 7-foot-6 winspan and a 9-foot-6 standing reach. To put this into perspective, the picture below shows Holmgren next to Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis, who is 6-foot-5!
Holmgren’s Elite Offensive Game
Unlike many other players with a similar build, Holmgren is one of those players that can “do it all.” If you watch him on the court, you’d be surprised by how quick he really is. Whether with or without the ball, Holmgren’s mobility is among the best.
Additionally, Chet is extremely good at shooting the ball. At Gonzaga, he made an impressive 39% of shots from behind the arc on 3.3 attempts per game. Keep in mind that the average NBA shooting guard, only makes 37% of their threes!
But wait, Chet isn’t just a catch-and-shoot type of player. He can also do it off the dribble and in transition. This video below really encompasses how deadly Holmgren could be in the NBA as a stretch 5.
Holmgren’s Insane Rim Protecting Skills
This may not be a surprise for some of you reading, but the 7'1 center, Chet Holmgren, is also an elite shot blocker. Usually, centers that are good on offense lack the defensive abilities needed to be an effective rim protector. But Chet is not one of those guys.
In college, Chet averaged an insane 3.7 blocks per game! Many of you may be saying that this is college, and that the NBA is a whole different game, but Chet has also proved his skills translate to the big league. In the few summer league games he has been a part of, Chet has averaged three blocks per game, even holding the summer league record for six blocks in a game.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you, I’m sure that the clip linked below will truly show you how good Holmgren is as a rim protector.
Overall, Chet Holmgren is really one of those players without any weaknesses. The only question mark that he may propose is his injury history, but as we have seen with many greats before: don’t let one injury prevent you from drafting your franchise superstar.
This is what I think of Chet Holmgren and his potential in the NBA. Let me know in the comments your ideas on this take. To see more articles just like this, please make sure to check my account linked below.
