What Happened to Chet Holmgren?

Chet Holmgren's journey to NBA stardom began as a highly touted prospect, a consensus five-star recruit, and the top-ranked player in the 2021 class. He played one season of college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs (2021-2022), where he showcased his versatile skillset, averaging 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. During his collegiate year, he earned numerous accolades, including WCC Defensive Player of the Year, WCC Newcomer of the Year, and was named a Consensus Second-Team All-American.

Holmgren declared for the 2022 NBA Draft and was selected second overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking him as the highest-drafted player ever from Gonzaga and the state of Minnesota. However, his highly anticipated rookie season (2022-2023) was prematurely ended when he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot during a Pro-am game in August 2022, forcing him to miss the entire year. This setback, while significant, did not deter his long-term potential or the Thunder's commitment to him.

He made his official NBA regular-season debut on October 25, 2023, and quickly made up for lost time. In his true rookie season (2023-2024), Holmgren played all 82 games, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game, earning him NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. His defensive prowess and offensive efficiency were instrumental in the Thunder's success.

The 2024-2025 season saw Holmgren continue to evolve, though it was marked by another injury, a right iliac wing fracture in his pelvis, which limited him to 32 games. Despite this, he returned on February 7, 2025, and played a crucial role in the Oklahoma City Thunder's historic run to the 2025 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games, securing the franchise's first NBA Championship. Holmgren set a new record for the most blocks in an NBA Finals Game 7.

As of the current 2025-2026 NBA season, Holmgren has solidified his status as a cornerstone player. On July 9, 2025, he agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension with the Thunder, potentially worth up to $250 million, beginning in the 2026-2027 season. His exceptional performance led to his first NBA All-Star selection on February 1, 2026. He has been averaging 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 68 games this season (as of April 9, 2026), demonstrating significant impact on both ends of the floor. Holmgren has also been a leading candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award, often compared to Victor Wembanyama for his elite rim protection and defensive versatility. He recorded a career-high 21 rebounds on February 27, 2026. While he has dealt with minor hip contusion issues in March 2026, he continues to be a vital part of the Thunder's success as they head towards the playoffs.