Chet Holmgren Bio
Chet Thomas Holmgren is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Holmgren was a consensus five-star recruit and the top-ranked player of the 2021 high school class. He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs before being selected second overall by the Thunder in the 2022 NBA draft.
Holmgren stands 7 ft 1 in tall and plays the center and power forward positions. He missed his entire first professional season after suffering a Lisfranc injury during a 2022 Pro-Am game but returned to earn NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2024. In his second season, he helped the Thunder capture the 2025 NBA Finals championship.
Early Life and Background
Chet Thomas Holmgren was born on May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he grew up surrounded by basketball. His father, Dave Holmgren, stands 7 ft 0 in tall and played college basketball for the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1988, giving his son an early connection to the sport and a clear athletic blueprint.
In sixth grade, Holmgren began attending Minnehaha Academy, a Christian private school in Minneapolis, where he stood 6 ft 2 in and became teammates with future NBA guard Jalen Suggs. He expanded his shooting range while recovering from a broken right wrist during his first season, and by ninth grade he had grown to 6 ft 9 in, quickly developing into one of the most talked-about young prospects in the country.
Path to Basketball
Holmgren’s rapid growth and skill set made him a national recruit while still in high school. By the start of his junior year at Minnehaha Academy, he had received roughly 30 scholarship offers from college basketball programs, and in June 2020 he became the number one player in the 2021 class according to ESPN. On April 19, 2021, he announced his commitment and signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Gonzaga, reuniting with his former high school teammate Jalen Suggs.
His senior year cemented his status as a generational prospect. Averaging 21 points and 12.3 rebounds, Holmgren led Minnehaha Academy to the Class 3A state title, his fourth state championship with the program. He was named Mr. Basketball USA, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, a McDonald’s All-American, and Minnesota Mr. Basketball, establishing himself as the consensus top player in the country.
Chet Holmgren Career
High School Career
As a freshman at Minnehaha Academy, Holmgren averaged 6.2 points and three rebounds per game and helped his team win a second straight Class 2A state championship. In his sophomore season, he averaged 18.6 points and 11 rebounds per game and led Minnehaha to another Class 2A state title, while also earning tournament MVP honors with his Amateur Athletic Union team, Grassroots Sizzle, at the Under Armour Association.
Holmgren attracted national attention in August 2019 when he crossed over NBA superstar Stephen Curry at Curry’s SC30 Select Camp. As a junior, he recorded nine points, 10 rebounds, and 12 blocks in a nationally televised victory over Sierra Canyon School and averaged 14.3 points per game, leading Minnehaha to a 25–3 record. His senior year brought the Class 3A state title and a sweep of the most prestigious national player of the year awards, preparing him for the next stage with Gonzaga.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (2021–2022)
In his college debut, Holmgren tallied 14 points, 13 rebounds, seven blocks, and six assists in a 97–63 victory over Dixie State, becoming the first player in 25 years to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks in a debut. On November 22, the seven-foot freshman finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting in another dominant performance, showing the versatile skill set that scouts had long praised.
At the end of the regular season, Holmgren was named West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and WCC Newcomer of the Year. In the NCAA tournament, he recorded 19 points, 17 rebounds, seven blocks, and five assists in a 93–72 opening-round victory over Georgia State. He averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game as a freshman, was named a consensus second-team All-American, and declared for the 2022 NBA draft on April 21, 2022, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Oklahoma City Thunder Era (2022–Present)
Holmgren was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, making him the highest-selected draft pick ever taken out of Gonzaga and the highest-drafted pick from the state of Minnesota, surpassing Kevin McHale. He signed his rookie-scale contract on July 5, 2022, but on August 25 it was announced that he would miss the entire 2022–23 season due to a Lisfranc injury in his foot.
On October 25, 2023, Holmgren made his NBA regular-season debut with 11 points and four rebounds in a win over the Chicago Bulls. He posted 16 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks against the Cleveland Cavaliers two days later, setting a franchise record for blocks in a single game by a rookie. On November 18, 2023, he scored a then career-high 36 points with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers in an overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, joining Michael Jordan as the only rookies to reach those numbers in a single game.
In the 2024 playoffs, Holmgren recorded 26 points and seven rebounds in a Game 2 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, becoming the first rookie in NBA playoff history to score 25 or more points with a plus/minus of plus-25 in a game. He returned from a pelvic injury in February 2025 and helped the Thunder win the 2025 NBA Finals in seven games over the Indiana Pacers, recording 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in the decisive seventh game, including a Finals Game 7 record for blocks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Listed as a center, Holmgren is widely described as a versatile player who moves, handles, shoots, and jumps more like a guard than a traditional big man. His vertical and running leaps are well above average for his position, and his 7-foot-6-inch wingspan fuels standout blocking and rebounding. He combines a strong interior presence with elite three-point shooting for his size, giving Oklahoma City a unique two-way building block.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include his crossover of Stephen Curry at the SC30 Select Camp in 2019, his record-setting Summer League debut in 2022, his franchise rookie blocks record against the Cavaliers in 2023, and his historic NBA Finals Game 7 blocks record in 2025. Each moment has reinforced his reputation as one of the most distinctive young talents in the league.
Chet Holmgren Career Wins
Chet Holmgren has built a résumé that spans high school state championships, international gold, college accolades, and an NBA title. His most prominent victories include the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup gold medal and tournament MVP award, the 2025 NBA championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and four high school state titles at Minnehaha Academy.
Major Series Highlights
At Minnehaha Academy, Holmgren won four state championships across his four varsity seasons, including a Class 3A title as a senior while earning Mr. Basketball USA honors. In international play, he led the United States to the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup gold medal in Latvia and was named tournament MVP after averaging 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game.
His signature professional victory came in the 2025 NBA Finals, when the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games and Holmgren recorded 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in Game 7, setting a new record for blocks in an NBA Finals Game 7.
Other Wins and Performances
Holmgren was a McDonald’s All-American in 2021, a consensus second-team All-American at Gonzaga, and an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2024. He was also named WCC Defensive Player of the Year, WCC Newcomer of the Year, first-team All-WCC, and a member of the WCC All-Freshman Team during his lone college season.
Chet Holmgren Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Holmgren grew up in a basketball household in Minneapolis. His father, Dave Holmgren, played college basketball for the University of Minnesota from 1984 to 1988 and stands 7 ft 0 in, providing Chet with both the physical and technical foundation for his own career. Holmgren also has two sisters, and the family has remained a steady presence throughout his rise.
Personal Life
Holmgren keeps his personal life largely private and is focused on his professional career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Public details about a spouse or children have not been confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder entered 2025 as one of the most exciting young teams in the league, building on the All-Rookie First Team season he posted in 2024. After returning from a right iliac wing fracture in February 2025, he appeared in 32 starts and averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists during the regular season, providing the Thunder with a versatile interior anchor and floor spacer.
The Thunder reached the 2025 NBA Finals and defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games, with Holmgren playing a central role in the deciding contest with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. His ability to protect the rim and stretch the floor gave Oklahoma City a decisive edge throughout the series.
On July 9, 2025, Holmgren and the Thunder agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $250 million, underlining his long-term importance to the franchise. On October 26, 2025, he opened the new season with 31 points on a career-high six three-pointers, along with 12 rebounds and three steals, in a win over the Atlanta Hawks, signaling continued momentum as the reigning champions chase another title run.