The OKC sensation Chet Holmgren has taken the NBA by storm. His massive reach and blocks make him unique and a clear standout in the NBA at such a young age. He possesses a lot of special abilities at a young age and can be one of the best shotblockers in the league.
A rookie with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chet Holmgren can do many of the identical things at almost the same height as Victor Wembanyama. Although the attacking plays will garner media attention, Holmgren is already a top-tier defense, much like Wembanyama.
Naturally, it all begins with his stature, placement, and instincts. His wingspan is 7 feet six inches an his height is 7 feet one inches. However, his usage of that length is already differentiating him. He has gathered the attention of all the NBA fans worldwide.
Holmgren started the 2022–23 training camp weighing 195 pounds, and as of now, he weighs 208 pounds according to Rotowire. Although Chet Holmgren’s vertical jump has not been mentioned anywhere in numbers, due to his massive height advantage his verticals tend to be more impactful than an average NBA player.
Chet Holmgren hosted a block party last night pic.twitter.com/fWDan8A1Uu
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) October 28, 2023
Even at the age of 21, Holmgren has already demonstrated a superb understanding of defensive verticality. Any effective shot-blocker who hopes to avoid getting into foul trouble all the time needs to have it. It’s a huge bonus for a rookie to master something like this at such a young age.
Chet Holmgren sets new OKC Thunder rookie record
As the tenth player to block seven shots and make three 3-pointers, Holmgren created NBA history. Chet has now entered this exclusive group of players, which also includes Kevin Durant, Kristaps Porzingis, Myles Turner, Jaren Jackson Jr., DeMarcus Cousins, Raef LaFrentz, Chris Boucher, Eddie Griffin, and Brook Lopez (four times). Not only that he also broke the OKC Thunder rookie record for most shots blocked.
The blocks will always get the attention, but Chet Holmgren is a transformative defender b/c of the types of shots he’s able to alter, even when he doesn’t block it. Threw in 3 reps from 1st 2 games, 1 where he affects ball handler & big in P&R, & 1 with a transition hold. pic.twitter.com/Xq4jKPlGqo
— Brett Kornfeld (@KornHoops) October 28, 2023
The term “unicorn” was recently given to Holmgren, who possesses a unique set of abilities that the world of basketball has never seen. He is one of the few players in the NBA who is above 7 feet. With his outside shooting, mobility, and rim protection, Holmgren has the potential to be a formidable player.
“Everyone’s concerned about him holding up, everyone’s concerned about him breaking, because he’s so thin,” said Marcus Elliott, the head of P3, a state-of-the-art sports science laboratory that consults with a number of elite athletes. Before the draft in 2022, Elliott spent several months observing Holmgren’s motions and examining his physique. He doesn’t bother as he knows Chet has the potential and will make it to the top.
But Chet has shown in the NBA that he means business and is ready to take center stage and create a success path of his own. He has been through it all in his journey to reaching the NBA. Now it is up to him to deliver season over season as he has a tremendous ceiling over him that he has to justify.