A 7-foot phenom. A body battered by injuries. And a dream that refused to die. he is trying to find his place in the world of basketball. His journey is filled with struggles, triumphs, and moments that would make anyone believe in the power of resilience.  he is being told, you're too skinny, too fragile to make it in the NBA, His injury is a concern, and he is still coming back stronger. 

This is the story of Chet Holmgren—the 7-foot warrior who refuses to back down, can he survive the NBA’s brutal spotlight? and what are his future potential, let's find out?



Chet Holmgren was born on May 1, 2002, in Minneapolis Minnesota, where he grew up surrounded by basketball, heavily inspired by his father, Dave Holmgren. He joined Minnehaha Academy in sixth grade, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall at the time. and played alongside Jalen Suggs, 

a future Orlando Magic guard, with whom he remained teammates throughout high school. During his first basketball season, Chet broke his right wrist but turned the setback into a chance to sharpen his shooting skills while recovering.  turning adversity into a developmental opportunity. 

By ninth grade, he experienced a significant growth spurt, reaching 6 feet 9 inches, which further shaped his basketball trajectory. This combination of family influence, early partnerships, resilience, and rapid physical growth laid the foundation for his athletic career.


high school

his high school journey started slowly. As a freshman, he averaged only 6.2 points and 3 rebounds per game. Even with these modest numbers, he helped his team win the Class 2A state championship.

In his sophomore year, everything changed. He jumped to 18.6 points and 11 rebounds per game, leading his team to another title. His great performances in the AAU circuit caught the attention of college scouts. In August 2019, he became famous after crossing over with NBA star Stephen Curry at a camp, boosting his profile.

Despite his success, challenges remained. In his junior year, he showed strong defense, including a triple-double, but his scoring average was 14.3 points per game, showing he was still adjusting to higher expectations.

By his senior year, Chet proved his critics wrong. He averaged 21 points and 12.3 rebounds, winning a fourth state title. His hard work transformed him from a struggling freshman into a star, earning awards like Mr. Basketball USA.

His journey from a modest start to dominating as a senior showed his resilience. He received over 30 college scholarship offers and became ESPN’s No. 1 recruit for the 2021 class. In 2021, he signed with Gonzaga, solidifying his status as a top prospect.


College career 

Chet Holmgren had a great first game for Gonzaga, scoring 14 points, getting 13 rebounds, blocking 7 shots, and making 6 assists. This made him the first player in 25 years to hit those numbers in a debut, setting a high bar for himself.

He kept showing his skills all season, especially in November, when he scored 19 points with amazing shooting. In the NCAA Tournament, he stood out again with 19 points, 17 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 5 assists against Georgia State, proving he could perform under pressure.

As a freshman, he won awards like WCC Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. He averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game, playing a big role in Gonzaga’s success.

On April 21 2022, he decided to enter the NBA Draft after a strong freshman year. While he faced challenges as a 7-foot freshman in a tough college setting, he rose above the competition and achieved great things.



Professional career

his career is a mix of struggles and achievements. He was picked 2nd overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 NBA Draft, making him the highest draft pick ever from Gonzaga University and Minnesota. This was a huge milestone, as he surpassed legendary players like Kevin McHale.

In his Summer League debut, Chet impressed everyone by scoring 23 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and recording 6 blocks, setting a record for the most blocks in a single game. He signed his rookie contract with the Thunder in July 2022, marking the start of his professional career. 

and then something happened, no one would expect, he missed the entire 2022-23 NBA season due to a Lisfranc injury in his right foot in August 2022. This setback was particularly disheartening as it came during his rookie season, The injury not only sidelined him but also forced him to endure a long rehabilitation process, impacting his development and confidence on the court

his 2023–24 season, he started strong with an NBA debut where he scored 11 points and had 4 rebounds. He quickly made headlines with a standout game against Cleveland, scoring 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks, breaking the Thunder’s rookie block record. Later, he achieved a career-high of 36 points against the Warriors, joining Michael Jordan as one of the few rookies to do so.

Another injury in November 2024—a right iliac wing fracture—forced him to miss 8 to 10 weeks of play. Despite these challenges, Chet's talent and determination shine through.

As of January 2025, he was reported to be progressing well in his recovery and was set to be re-evaluated in approximately three to five weeks from date.

His career thus far has been characterized by historic achievements, including record-breaking performances and accolades, alongside significant injury challenges that have tested his resilience. Despite these setbacks, he has demonstrated his elite potential as a cornerstone for the Thunder's future.


Future potential

Chet Holmgren's NBA career has faced tough challenges, mainly from injuries. He missed his whole rookie season because of a bad foot injury, and his right hip injury that will keep him out for 8–10 weeks. These ongoing health problems raise concerns about his ability to stay healthy and help the team consistently. Each time he’s out, it slows his growth as a key player for the Oklahoma City Thunder and puts the team's competitiveness at risk, making his recovery very important.

Chet Holmgren is facing tough challenges with his injuries and contract talks. Even though he has a lot of potential, his injury history makes it hard to discuss his long-term value. He could get a big contract worth $180–200 million, but teams might worry about his health and undervalue him. This creates uncertainty about his financial future. He needs to balance his talent with concerns about staying healthy, which adds pressure to get a fair deal.

He also feels pressure to help the team do well. The Thunder wants to make the playoffs and win a championship, which depends on him being healthy. Even though the team has done okay without him, they really need him back for important games. He must fit in easily and show he can contribute on both offense and defense while adjusting to a new role.

but his record are insane, as he became the first player in NBA history, to record 200 assists, 190 blocks and make 129 3-pointers in a single season.

Finally, Holmgren needs to grow while facing a lot of pressure. Seen as a key player for the team, he must improve his skills, lead well, and prove he’s worth it. Any mistakes or injuries raise doubts about his potential. How he handles challenges like health, contracts, and expectations will decide if he becomes an NBA star or a story of missed opportunities.

So what do you think about Chet Holmgren, comment down below.